TW201341328A - Glass plate manufacturing method and glass plate manufacturing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is to manufacture a glass plate by suppressing platinum evaporation from a clarifying pipe made of platinum or platinum alloy during the period of glass plate manufacture. The molten glass clarification carried out in the glass plate manufacturing method is at least processed in the conveying pipe and the clarifying pipe of the molten glass. The conveying pipe is made of platinum or platinum alloy, and the temperature of the molten glass therein is raised by heating the outer wall of the conveying pipe. The clarifying pipe is made of platinum or platinum alloy and has a sectional face larger than that of the conveying pipe. The conveying pipe is used to supply the molten glass for enabling the molten glass to flow and has a gas phase space used in deaeration of the molten glass. In the conveying pipe, the molten glass fills the whole inside of the sectional face of the conveying pipe for carrying out flow. The first highest temperature of the molten glass while the molten glass flows through the conveying pipe is equal to the second highest temperature of the molten glass while flowing through the clarifying pipe or is higher than the second highest temperature.

Description

Glass plate manufacturing method and glass plate manufacturing device

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a glass sheet for producing a glass sheet.

Conventionally, in the production of a glass plate, a glass raw material is melted in a melting tank to prepare molten glass, and the molten glass is supplied through a transfer pipe to a clarification pipe made of platinum or a platinum alloy.

The molten glass is supplied to the transfer tube of the clarification tube, and the molten glass is heated so that the molten glass produced in the melting tank is not cooled, that is, heated to such an extent that the temperature of the molten glass can be maintained.

In the clarification pipe, the oxygen released by the reduction of the clarifying agent contained in the molten glass is absorbed by the bubbles in the molten glass, so that the bubbles in the molten glass grow and float up to the liquid surface of the molten glass to perform defoaming. In order to effectively carry out the reduction of the clarifying agent and further reduce the viscosity of the molten glass, the bubbles in the molten glass are efficiently floated above the liquid surface, and the outer wall of the clarification tube itself is heated to raise the temperature of the molten glass. Thereafter, in the bubbles remaining in the molten glass, in order to absorb the oxygen in the bubbles by the oxidation of the clarifying agent, the bubbles are eliminated, and the molten glass is cooled.

In the case of the molten glass which is supplied to the clarification pipe by the transfer pipe and clarified in the clarification pipe, the temperature profile of the molten glass flow path is observed, and the molten glass is heated first, and then the temperature is lowered. The molten glass in the clarification tube reaches the maximum temperature.

An example of the method for producing a glass sheet described above is the following Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, the molten glass flowing out of the melting furnace is as shown in Fig. 1 of the document. In the pigging 22, the molten glass is heated to reach the maximum temperature.

On the other hand, in recent years, the temperature of the molten glass in the clarification tube has been mostly high in temperature. The reason for this is to use a glass plate in a glass substrate for a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and to use a clarifying agent such as SnO ₂ without using a clarifying agent such as As ₂ O ₃ from the viewpoint of reducing the environmental load.

In the case of being used in a glass plate for a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, in order to prevent damage to a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) formed on a glass plate for a flat panel display, the use does not contain Li, Na at all. An alkali-free glass of an alkali metal component such as K or a trace amount of an alkali-containing glass even if it contains an alkali metal component. The alkali-free glass or the trace alkali-containing glass has low meltability and high temperature viscosity. Therefore, in order to effectively defoam the molten glass in the clarification pipe and effectively eliminate the bubbles, the molten glass is heated to a temperature higher than the previous high temperature in the clarification pipe.

Further, from the viewpoint of reducing the environmental load, SnO ₂ or the like which is less effective than As ₂ O ₃ as a clarifying agent, but which is less toxic, is suitably used. However, in order for such a clarifying agent to function properly, it is necessary to make the temperature of the molten glass higher than before.

Therefore, the maximum temperature of the molten glass flowing through the clarification pipe is also higher than the previous one.

[Previous Technical Literature] [Patent Literature]

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2010-523457

Thus, in order to make the molten glass a high temperature, it is necessary to heat a clarification tube composed of platinum or a platinum alloy to a temperature higher than the previous high temperature. For example, when SnO _{2 is} used as the clarifying agent, the temperature of the molten glass is raised to about 1,700 ° C in order to effectively exhibit the clarifying function of SnO ₂ . Therefore, the platinum or platinum alloy constituting the clarification tube heated to a higher temperature than the previous one is partially volatilized, the thickness of the clarification tube is easily thinned, and the life of the clarification tube is shorter than that of the prior.

Further, there is a gas phase for defoaming the molten glass in the clarification tube, but platinum is volatilized from the inner wall surface of the clarification tube which is in contact with the gas phase, and a part thereof is partially cooled and solidified, and is attached as a crystal to the clarification. Inner side wall surface (top of the tube) inside the tube. The deposit falls into the molten glass flowing through the clarification tube in the form of fine particles, and acts as a separate stream in the molten glass to the downstream step, sometimes causing defects in the glass sheet.

Therefore, in order to solve the problems of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a device for producing a glass sheet which can be used for the production of a glass sheet while suppressing volatilization in a platinum free platinum or platinum alloy.

One aspect of the present invention is a method of manufacturing a glass sheet for producing a glass sheet. The manufacturing method includes the steps of: melting a glass raw material to produce molten glass; and clarifying the molten glass by raising the temperature of the molten glass.

The clarification of the molten glass is performed at least in the transfer tube and the clarification tube of the molten glass, and the transfer tube of the molten glass is a tube made of platinum or a platinum alloy, and the molten glass is heated by heating from the outer wall; The tube is a tube made of platinum or a platinum alloy, and has a cross section larger than a cross section of the transport tube, and the molten glass is supplied from the transfer tube to flow the molten glass, and has a gas phase space for defoaming the molten glass. .

In the above-described conveying pipe, the molten glass flows through the entire inner cross section of the conveying pipe and flows.

When the molten glass flows through the transfer pipe, the first maximum temperature of the molten glass is equal to or higher than the second highest temperature of the molten glass when flowing through the clarification pipe.

Due to the first maximum temperature of the molten glass and the above melting when flowing through the clarification tube Since the second highest temperature of the glass is equal to or the first highest temperature is higher than the second highest temperature, the bubbles in the molten glass in the transfer tube are largely grown. Therefore, the bubble floats up to the liquid surface of the molten glass in the above-mentioned clarification pipe, and defoaming is easy. When the molten glass moves from the transfer pipe to the clarification pipe, since the temperature of the molten glass is sufficiently high and is maintained at a temperature higher than the temperature at which the clarifying agent is reduced, the clarification pipe does not need to be heated for further heating the molten glass. Therefore, the heating temperature of the above-described clarification tube can be suppressed to a lower temperature than before. Therefore, it is possible to suppress volatilization in the above-described clarification tube made of platinum free platinum or a platinum alloy, and it is possible to produce a glass plate having few defects caused by foreign matter such as platinum crystals adhering to the inner wall surface of the clarification tube due to platinum volatilization.

Preferably, the molten glass flows through the transport pipe, and the temperature of the molten glass reaches the first maximum temperature.

In this case, the heating temperature of the clarification pipe is lower than the case where the connection position of the molten glass at the connection between the transfer pipe and the clarification pipe reaches the first highest temperature and the second highest temperature, so that it can be more easily suppressed. The above-mentioned clarification tube composed of platinum free platinum or platinum alloy is volatilized.

The above molten glass may contain SnO ₂ as a clarifying agent.

The above-mentioned SnO _{2 has a} lower clarifying function than As ₂ O ₃ which is a conventional clarifying agent, but it can be suitably used as a clarifying agent from the viewpoint of a small environmental load. However, since the clarifying function of the above SnO ₂ is lower than that of As ₂ O ₃ , in the case of using the above SnO _{2 ,} it is necessary to make the temperature of the molten glass at the time of the clarification step of the molten glass higher than the previous one. In the method for producing a glass plate, since the heating temperature in the clarification pipe is lower than that in the prior art, the platinum free platinum or platinum alloy can be suppressed even when the molten glass containing the SnO ₂ as the clarifying agent is used. The volatilization tube is volatilized, and a glass plate having less defects such as foreign matter such as platinum crystals can be produced.

The glass used in the above glass plate may have a temperature of 1500 ° C or higher at 10 ^2.5 poise. Further, the temperature may be 1550 ° C or higher, and further may be 1600 ° C or higher.

Such molten glass is a highly viscous glass. In the above production method, since the heating temperature of the clarification tube can be suppressed lower than the previous one, even in the glass having high viscosity, the clarification tube composed of platinum free platinum or platinum alloy can be more easily suppressed. Volatile.

The time during which the molten glass passes through the transfer tube is set to Time (minutes), and the temperature of the molten glass from the inlet of the transfer tube is raised to a temperature difference of the first highest temperature of the molten glass flowing through the transfer tube. When ΔT (°C), ΔT/Time is preferably 3 to 10 (°C/min).

The molten glass is heated in order to set the temperature of the molten glass in the transfer pipe to the first maximum temperature. In this case, increasing the heating temperature of the transfer tube composed of platinum or a platinum alloy accelerates the volatilization of the platinum, which is not considered from the viewpoint of the life of the above-mentioned transfer tube. Therefore, by setting ΔT/Time to 3 to 10 (° C./min), the temperature difference between the heating temperature of the above-mentioned conveying pipe and the temperature of the molten glass can be reduced. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the increase in the heating temperature of the transfer pipe and to extend the life of the transfer pipe.

Further, another aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a glass sheet for producing a glass sheet. The manufacturing method includes the steps of: melting a glass raw material to form a molten glass; and clarifying the molten glass by cooling the molten glass stepwise or continuously.

The clarification of the molten glass is performed at least in the transfer tube and the clarification tube of the molten glass, and the transfer tube of the molten glass is a tube made of platinum or a platinum alloy, and the molten glass is heated by heating from the outer wall; The tube is a tube made of platinum or a platinum alloy, and has a cross section larger than a cross section of the transport tube, and the molten glass is supplied from the transfer tube to flow the molten glass, and has a gas phase space for defoaming the molten glass. .

In the above conveying pipe, the molten glass fills the entire inner section of the conveying pipe Flow.

In the transfer pipe, the temperature of the molten glass is the highest temperature of the clarification by the temperature rise of the molten glass, and then the temperature of the molten glass is lowered by the temperature of the molten glass in the clarification pipe. It is maintained at the same temperature as or higher than the above maximum temperature.

Since the temperature of the molten glass in the transfer pipe is the highest temperature in the clarification, the bubbles in the molten glass grow in the transfer pipe, and float up to the liquid surface of the molten glass in the clarification pipe, thereby facilitating defoaming. When the molten glass moves from the transfer pipe to the clarification pipe, the temperature of the molten glass in the clarification pipe is maintained at a temperature lower than the maximum temperature. Therefore, heating for further heating the molten glass is not required. Therefore, the heating temperature of the above clarification tube can be suppressed lower than the previous one. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the volatilization in the above-mentioned clarification tube composed of platinum free platinum or a platinum alloy, and it is possible to produce a glass plate which is less likely to cause defects due to foreign matter such as platinum crystals adhering to the inner wall surface of the clarification tube due to the volatilization of platinum.

Still another aspect of the present invention is a glass sheet manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a glass sheet. The manufacturing apparatus includes: a melting tank for melting a glass raw material to produce molten glass; a clarifying tube made of platinum or a platinum alloy for clarifying the molten glass while flowing; and a conveying pipe of the molten glass A tube made of platinum or a platinum alloy, the melting vessel is connected to the clarification pipe, and the molten glass is heated by heating the outer wall to clarify the molten glass.

The clarification pipe has a cross section larger than a cross section of the conveying pipe, and has a gas phase space for defoaming the molten glass.

The first highest temperature of the molten glass when the molten glass flows through the transfer pipe is equal to or higher than a second highest temperature of the molten glass when the molten glass flows through the clarification pipe The transfer tube is heated and adjusted.

In the manufacturing apparatus, since the first maximum temperature of the molten glass is equal to the second highest temperature or higher than the second highest temperature, the transfer pipe is heated and adjusted, so that the melt is grown in the transfer pipe. The bubbles in the glass float up to the liquid surface of the molten glass in the above-mentioned clarification tube, and are easily defoamed. When the molten glass moves from the transfer pipe to the clarification pipe, since the temperature of the molten glass is sufficiently high and is maintained at a temperature higher than the temperature at which the clarifying agent is reduced, the clarification pipe does not need to be heated for further heating the molten glass. Therefore, the heating temperature of the above-described clarification tube can be suppressed to a lower temperature than before. Therefore, the manufacturing apparatus can suppress volatilization in the above-mentioned clarification tube composed of platinum free platinum or platinum alloy. Further, it is possible to produce a glass plate having less defects caused by foreign matters such as platinum crystals generated by volatilization of platinum.

According to the method for producing a glass sheet of the present invention and the apparatus for producing the same, it is possible to suppress the volatilization in the clarification tube made of platinum free platinum or platinum alloy, and to produce a glass sheet having less defects due to foreign matters such as platinum crystals.

200‧‧‧melting device

201‧‧‧melting tank

202‧‧‧clarification tube

203‧‧‧Stirring tank

203a‧‧‧Agitator

204, 205, 206‧‧‧ glass supply tube

300‧‧‧Forming device

310‧‧‧Formed body

312‧‧‧Supply tank

400‧‧‧cutting device

B‧‧‧ bubble

G‧‧‧plate glass

MG‧‧‧ molten glass

ST1~ST7‧‧‧Steps

Fig. 1 is a view showing the steps of a method for producing a glass sheet of the embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a view schematically showing an apparatus for performing the melting step to the cutting step of the method for producing a glass sheet of the present embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a view mainly showing the configuration of a device for carrying out the clarification step of the method for producing a glass sheet of the present embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a view showing an example of a temperature profile of a flow direction of molten glass in a glass supply tube and a clarification tube used in the method for producing a glass sheet according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, a method of producing the glass sheet of the present embodiment will be described.

(Overall summary of the manufacturing method of glass plate)

Fig. 1 is a view showing the steps of a method for producing a glass sheet of the embodiment.

The manufacturing method of a glass plate mainly has a melting step (ST1), a clarification step (ST2), a homogenization step (ST3), a supply step (ST4), a molding step (ST5), a slow cooling step (ST6), and a cutting step ( ST7). Further, there are a grinding step, a grinding step, a washing step, an inspection step, a packing step, and the like, and a plurality of laminated glass sheets which are stacked in the packing step are transported to a person at the receiving side.

Fig. 2 is a view schematically showing an apparatus for performing a melting step (ST1) to a cutting step (ST7).

In this apparatus, as shown in FIG. 2, the melting apparatus 200, the shaping apparatus 300, and the cutting apparatus 400 are mainly provided. The melting device 200 mainly has a melting tank 201, a clarification pipe 202, a stirring tank 203, and glass supply pipes 204, 205, and 206. Further, the glass supply pipes 204 and 205 are the pipes through which the molten glass MG flows as described later, and also have a clarifying function. The glass supply pipe 204 is a transfer pipe made of platinum or a platinum alloy, and the molten glass is heated by heating from the outer wall. In the glass supply pipe 204, the molten glass flows through the entire inner cross section of the glass supply pipe 204 to flow. Further, the main portions of the glass supply pipes 204, 205, and 206 and the clarification pipe grooves 202 and the agitation vessel 203 after the melting tank 201 up to the molding apparatus 300 are made of platinum or a platinum alloy tube.

In the melting step (ST1), the glass raw material to which the SnO _{2 is} added as a clarifying agent and supplied into the melting tank 201 is melted by a flame (not shown) and electric heating using an electrode, thereby obtaining a molten glass MG. . Specifically, the glass raw material is supplied to the liquid surface of the molten glass MG using a raw material input device (not shown). The glass raw material is slowly melted by heating by gas phase heat radiation, and is melted in the molten glass MG, which is subjected to a flame generated by an oxy-fuel burner or an air burner to reach a high temperature. Further, the molten glass MG is heated by Joule heat, which is generated by energization heating using an alternating current inserted into an electrode of the side wall of the melting tank 201. For example, molybdenum, platinum, or tin oxide is used as the electrode material.

Further, in the above description, an example in which a glass raw material is melted using a burner such as an oxy-fuel burner or an air burner and an electrode has been described, but it is also possible to melt the glass raw material using only the burner, or to use only the electrode pair. The glass raw material is melted. The temperature of the molten glass MG in the melting tank 201 is preferably a temperature at which the clarifying agent does not undergo a reduction reaction and does not cause a sharp release of oxygen. In the case where tin oxide (SnO ₂ ) is used as the clarifying agent, the temperature of the molten glass MG in the dissolution tank 201 is, for example, a temperature of 1620 ° C or lower.

The clarification step (ST2) is performed in the glass supply pipe 204, the clarification pipe 202, and the glass supply pipe 205. The clarification step specifically has a defoaming step and a bubble absorption step. In the defoaming step, the molten glass MG in the glass supply tube 204 is heated to absorb bubbles including gas components such as O ₂ , CO ₂ or SO ₂ contained in the molten glass MG, for example, by SnO ₂ or the like. The clarifying agent is grown by O ₂ produced by the reduction reaction. In the clarification pipe 202, the grown bubble in the molten glass MG floats up to the liquid surface of the molten glass MG, and the gas in the bubble is released to the gas phase. Further, in the bubble absorption step, the internal pressure of the gas component in the bubble is lowered by the decrease in the temperature of the molten glass MG, and the reducing substance such as SnO obtained by the reduction reaction of the clarifying agent is lowered in temperature of the molten glass MG. When an oxidation reaction occurs, gas components such as O _{2 in} the bubbles remaining in the molten glass MG are reabsorbed into the molten glass MG, and the bubbles disappear. The oxidation reaction and the reduction reaction based on the clarifying agent are carried out by adjusting the temperature of the molten glass MG. The adjustment of the temperature of the molten glass MG is performed by adjusting the temperatures of the glass supply pipe 204, the clarification pipe 202, and the glass supply pipe 205. The adjustment of the temperature of each tube is performed by direct energization heating of the current flowing through the tube itself or by indirect heating of the tubes by heating the heaters disposed around the glass supply tube 204, the clarification tube 202, and the glass supply tube 205.

In the temperature adjustment of the molten glass MG of the present embodiment, direct electric heating as one of the above methods is used. Specifically, a current is provided between a metal flange (not shown) provided in the glass supply pipe 204 that supplies the molten glass MG to the clarification pipe 202, and a metal flange (not shown) provided in the clarification pipe 202 (Fig. The arrow in 3) is further disposed on a metal flange (not shown) provided in the clarification pipe 202 and located downstream of the molten glass MG with respect to the metal flange. The current is supplied between the metal flanges (not shown) provided in the clarification pipe 202 (the arrows in FIG. 3), thereby adjusting the temperature of the molten glass MG. In the present embodiment, the glass supply tube 204 and the clarification tube 202 are electrically heated by a constant current flowing between the first region between the metal flanges and the metal flange to adjust the molten glass MG. At the temperature, the energization heating is not limited to temperature adjustment by energization heating in two regions, and the temperature of the molten glass MG may be adjusted by performing electric heating in three or more regions.

In the homogenization step (ST3), the molten glass MG in the stirring tank 203 supplied through the glass supply pipe 205 is stirred by the agitator 203a, whereby the glass component is homogenized. The stirring tank 203 may be provided in two or more.

In the supply step (ST4), the molten glass is supplied to the forming apparatus 300 through the glass supply pipe 206.

The forming step (ST5) and the slow cooling step (ST6) are performed in the molding apparatus 300.

In the molding step (ST5), the molten glass MG is formed into a sheet glass G to form a continuous body of the sheet glass G. In the present embodiment, an overflow down-draw method using the molded body 310 described later is employed. In the slow cooling step (ST6), the sheet glass G which is formed to flow is cooled so as not to cause internal deformation or warpage.

In the cutting step (ST7), the sheet glass G supplied from the molding apparatus 300 is cut into a specific length in the cutting device 400 to obtain a glass sheet. The cut glass sheet is further cut into a specific size to produce a glass sheet of a target size. Then, the glass end face is ground, polished, and the glass plate is cleaned, and then the presence or absence of defects such as bubbles is checked, and then the glass plate of the qualified product is bundled as a final product.

(clarification step)

Fig. 3 is a view mainly showing the configuration of a device for performing a clarification step. The clarification step includes a defoaming step and an absorbing step. In the following description, an example in which SnO _{2 is} used as a clarifying agent will be described. Compared with the previous As ₂ O ₃ , the clarifying function of SnO ₂ is low, but it can be suitably used as a clarifying agent from the viewpoint of less environmental load. However, since the clarifying function of SnO ₂ is lower than that of As ₂ O ₃ , in the case of using SnO _{2 ,} it is necessary to make the temperature of the molten glass MG at the time of the clarification step of the molten glass MG higher than the previous one. In this case, for example, the maximum temperature in the clarification step may be about 1,700 ° C, preferably 1710 ° C or lower, more preferably 1720 ° C or lower.

The clarification will be explained based on Fig. 3 .

The liquid molten glass MG which is melted in the melting tank 201 and contains a large amount of bubbles B generated by the decomposition reaction of the glass raw material is introduced into the glass supply pipe 204.

In the glass supply tube 204, the molten glass MG is heated to a temperature of, for example, 1630 ° C or more and 1720 ° C or lower by heating of platinum or a platinum alloy tube in the main body of the glass supply tube 204 to accelerate the reduction reaction of the clarifying agent, thereby, a large amount of oxygen It is discharged into the molten glass MG. Regarding the existing bubble B in the molten glass MG, the temperature of the molten glass MG rises so that the pressure of the gas component in the bubble B rises, and the increase in the bubble diameter due to the pressure increase effect and the diffusion of oxygen released by the reduction reaction of the clarifying agent enter By the superposition of the bubbles B, the synergistic effect increases the bubble diameter of the existing bubble B.

This molten glass MG is then introduced into the clarification pipe 202.

The clarification tube 202 is different from the glass supply tube 204 in that it has a gas phase space above the inside of the glass supply tube 202. In the clarification pipe 202, the bubble B in the molten glass MG can be floated up to the liquid surface of the molten glass MG, and can be discharged to the outside of the molten glass MG. Further, the temperature of the molten glass MG can be adjusted to a lower temperature so that the viscosity of the glass in this state is such that the degree of floating of the bubble B is not hindered by the decrease in the viscosity of the molten glass MG, for example, 120 to 400 poise.

In the clarification pipe 202, the molten glass MG is continuously maintained at a high temperature of 1630 ° C or higher and 1720 ° C or lower by heating the platinum or platinum alloy tube of the main body of the clarification pipe 202. Alternatively, the molten glass MG is slightly lowered from the temperature of the molten glass MG when it is introduced into the clarification pipe 202, but is still in the defoaming step. Therefore, the bubble B in the molten glass MG floats upward above the clarification pipe 202, and the bubble on the liquid surface of the molten glass MG is broken, thereby melting The molten glass MG is defoamed.

Here, the gas component released and discharged in the gas phase space above the clarification pipe 202 is discharged to the outside of the clarification pipe 202 through a gas discharge port (not shown). In the clarification pipe 202, the bubble B having a high floating speed and a large diameter is removed by floating and defoaming the bubble B.

In the present embodiment, the highest temperature (first highest temperature) of the molten glass MG when the molten glass MG flows through the glass supply pipe 204 is equal to the highest temperature (second highest temperature) of the molten glass MG when flowing through the clarification pipe 202. Or the first highest temperature is higher than the second highest temperature. Here, the equivalent means that the temperature difference between the first highest temperature and the second highest temperature is in the range of ±10 ° C, preferably ± 5 ° C, in addition to the case where the first highest temperature and the second highest temperature are matched. The situation is the allowable range. The reason why the first maximum temperature of the molten glass MG flowing through the glass supply pipe 204 is equal to or higher than the second highest temperature of the molten glass MG flowing through the clarification pipe 202 is that the heating of the molten glass MG in the clarification pipe 202 can be suppressed. At the same time, defoaming can be effectively performed in the clarification tube 202.

In other words, the bubble B in the molten glass MG in the glass supply tube 204 is increased by the supply of oxygen released by the clarifying agent and the pressure increase effect of the gas component in the bubble B, and further by the viscosity of the molten glass MG. When it is lowered, the bubble B starts to float upward.

In this state, the molten glass MG is introduced into the clarification pipe 202. In the glass supply pipe 204, since the molten glass MG fills the entire inner cross section of the glass supply pipe 204 and flows, the defoaming of the molten glass MG is less likely to occur. On the other hand, in the clarification pipe 202, since the gas phase space is provided above the clarification pipe 202 and is connected to the atmosphere, the bubble B which grows large is floated up to the liquid surface of the molten glass MG, and bubble collapse occurs.

Thereafter, the molten glass MG is slowly (staged or continuously) cooled, and advanced to the bubble absorption step in the second half of the clarification pipe 202 and the glass supply pipe 205. In the absorption step, as described above, the bubble B is absorbed into the molten glass MG due to the temperature drop of the molten glass MG, and the bubble B disappears. In the cooling of the molten glass MG, a current other than the current shown in FIG. 3 is supplied from a metal flange (not shown) by the second half of the clarification tube 202. The glass supply 205 is heated and controlled.

When the temperature profile of the flow direction of the molten glass MG in the glass supply pipe 204, the clarification pipe 202, and the glass supply pipe 205 is observed about the molten glass MG, the 1st maximum temperature of the molten glass in the glass supply pipe 204 is a clarifier. The temperature at which the reduction reaction occurs is, for example, 1720 ° C or lower. The molten glass MG is heated and adjusted to a temperature equal to or lower than the first highest temperature at a position on the downstream side of the molten glass MG at a position higher than the position of the first highest temperature. Therefore, when the molten glass MG flows through the glass supply pipe 204, the first highest temperature of the molten glass MG is equal to or higher than the second highest temperature of the molten glass MG when flowing through the clarification pipe 202.

Further, in other words, in the clarification step, the molten glass MG is heated to a temperature higher than the temperature at which the clarifying agent is subjected to the reduction reaction, and then the temperature is lowered stepwise or continuously. At this time, in the glass supply pipe 204, the temperature of the molten glass MG is made the highest temperature (the first highest temperature) in the clarification by the temperature rise of the molten glass MG, and then melted by the cooling of the molten glass MG in the clarification pipe 202. The temperature of the glass is maintained at a temperature equal to or lower than the above maximum temperature.

4 shows an example of a temperature profile of the flow direction of the molten glass MG in the glass supply pipe 204 and the clarification pipe 202. In the temperature profile A shown in FIG. 4, the molten glass MG is rapidly heated in at least the first half of the glass supply pipe 204, and thereafter the molten glass MG flows downstream of the molten glass MG, and the heating of the glass supply pipe 204 is maintained or suppressed. . Thereby, at the position X, the molten glass MG reaches the first highest temperature. The first maximum temperature is at least the temperature at which the clarifying agent is subjected to the reduction reaction, and at least the temperature of the molten glass MG is equal to or higher than the temperature at which the clarifying agent is subjected to the reduction reaction before the molten glass MG enters the clarification tube 202. Therefore, when the molten glass MG enters the clarification pipe 202 from the glass supply pipe 204, oxygen is released from the clarifying agent into the molten glass MG.

On the other hand, in the clarification pipe 202, at least in the first half of the clarification pipe 202, the molten glass MG is in a state of a defoaming step. Therefore, in the clarification tube 202, the bubble B floats up. At the liquid level of the molten glass MG, the bubbles are broken. Thereafter, as shown by the temperature profile A, the molten glass MG is gently cooled and transitioned to the absorption step. The cooling of the molten glass MG is performed not only in the glass supply tube 205 but also in the stirring tank 203 and the glass supply tube 206. Further, when the molten glass MG enters the molding apparatus 300, the temperature is lowered to become a viscosity suitable for the molding step.

In the temperature profile A, the position of the highest temperature (second highest temperature) of the molten glass MG in the clarification pipe 202 is a connection portion where the glass supply pipe 204 and the clarification pipe 202 are connected. Therefore, in the temperature profile A, the highest temperature (the first highest temperature) of the molten glass MG when the molten glass MG flows through the glass supply pipe 204 is equal to the highest temperature (the second highest temperature) of the molten glass MG when flowing through the clarification pipe 202. Or higher.

Regarding the temperature profile of the molten glass MG, the highest temperature (first highest temperature) of the molten glass MG when the molten glass MG flows through the glass supply pipe 204 and the highest temperature of the molten glass MG when flowing through the clarification pipe 202 (the second highest temperature) The position may be the connection portion of the glass supply pipe 204 and the clarification pipe 202. In this case, the first highest temperature is equivalent to the second highest temperature. That is, in this case, the temperature profile is shown by the temperature profile C shown in FIG. However, from the viewpoint of suppressing the heating of the clarification pipe 202, it is preferable that the temperature of the molten glass MG flows through the glass supply pipe 204 to reach the first maximum temperature as indicated by the temperature profile A.

In the glass supply tube 204, the clarification tube 202, and the glass supply tube 205, the position of the molten glass MG at the highest temperature is set in the glass supply tube 204, and the bubbles in the molten glass MG are in the glass supply tube 204. B can grow larger. Therefore, the bubble B floats up to the liquid surface of the molten glass MG in the clarification pipe 202, and can be easily defoamed. Therefore, as in the prior art, the bubble B can be defoamed in the clarification tube 202.

When the molten glass MG moves from the glass supply pipe 204 to the clarification pipe 202, the temperature of the molten glass MG is maintained at a temperature higher than the temperature at which the clarifying agent is reduced. Therefore, it is not necessary to further increase the temperature of the molten glass MG in the clarification pipe 202. Therefore, the clarification tube can be The heating temperature of 202 was suppressed lower than before.

Further, in the clarification step, the molten glass MG flowing through the glass supply pipe 204, the clarification pipe 202, and the glass supply pipe 205 flows through the glass supply pipe 204 when the molten glass MG flows through the outer wall of the glass supply pipe 204. The MG is heated to bring the molten glass MG to the highest temperature.

Previously, in the clarification pipe 202 having an inner cross-sectional area larger than the glass supply pipe 204, the outer wall of the clarification pipe 202 was heated so that the temperature of the molten glass MG reached the highest temperature in the clarification step. Therefore, the ratio of the contact area with the outer wall with respect to the volume of the molten glass MG becomes small, and the heating effect of the molten glass MG is not large with respect to heating of the outer wall. Further, since the clarification pipe 202 has a gas phase space in which the molten glass MG does not flow, the effect of raising the temperature of the molten glass MG is small. However, as shown in the present embodiment, in the glass supply pipe 204, the molten glass MG flows through the entire inner cross section of the glass supply pipe 204, and the inner cross-sectional area of the glass supply pipe 204 is smaller than the inner cross-sectional area of the clarification pipe 202. Therefore, the heating of the glass supply pipe 204 from the outer wall causes the molten glass MG to have a large temperature increasing effect.

Further, in the prior art, in order to bring the temperature of the molten glass MG in the clarification pipe 202 having the gas phase space to the highest temperature in the clarification step, the outer wall of the clarification pipe 202 is heated, and therefore the platinum or the platinum alloy constituting the clarification pipe 202 is volatilized. A part thereof is partially cooled and solidified, and is attached as a crystal to the inner wall surface (top) in the clarification pipe 202. The deposit falls into the molten glass MG flowing through the clarification pipe 202 as a foreign matter, and serves as a separate flow in the molten glass MG to the downstream step, which may also cause the particles to be mixed into the glass plate.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the position where the molten glass MG reaches the highest temperature in the clarification step is not in the clarification tube 202, the platinum or the platinum alloy volatilizes and adheres to the inner wall surface of the clarification tube 202 as a crystallized substance ( The condition of the top) is suppressed. Therefore, it is suppressed in the molten glass MG as a different stream into the downstream step.

Recently, it has tended to use high-temperature viscous glass to make the molten glass in the clarification step The temperature of the MG is higher than previously used to make glass sheets.

Specifically, in the case of a glass plate for a flat panel display (liquid crystal display, organic EL display, or the like) using a TFT (Thin Film Transistor), in terms of suppressing the influence of the TFT, in the present embodiment, An alkali-free glass plate using an alkali-free glass or a trace amount of an alkali-containing glass plate containing a trace amount of an alkali-containing glass containing a small amount of an alkaline component can be suitably produced. However, a trace amount of an alkali-containing glass plate or an alkali-free glass plate has low meltability. Specifically, in the viscosity η of the molten glass MG, the temperature of log η = 2.5 is 1500 ° C to 1750 ° C, which is higher than that of the alkali glass. When manufacturing a molten glass having such a viscosity as compared with the case of manufacturing a glass plate of the prior alkali glass, it is necessary to increase the temperature of the molten glass MG in the clarification step.

Further, as the clarifying agent, for example, SnO ₂ or the like having a small environmental load is used instead of As ₂ O ₃ or the like. However, SnO ₂ or the like having a small environmental load accelerates the reduction reaction, so it is necessary to increase the temperature of the molten glass MG as compared with the prior art.

Thus, in order to increase the temperature of the molten glass MG as compared with the prior art, the clarification pipe 202 tends to be heated to a higher temperature, so that the platinum constituting the clarification pipe is liable to volatilize. However, in the present embodiment, the position at which the molten glass MG reaches the highest temperature in the clarification step is not the clarification tube 202 but the glass supply tube 204. Therefore, even in the case of a glass having a high temperature and high viscosity, for example, a glass having a temperature of 1500 ° C or higher at 10 ^2.5 poise, in the present embodiment, the heating of the clarification tube 202 can be suppressed as compared with the prior art. Thereby, the volatilization of the platinum of the clarification pipe 202 can be suppressed, so that the amount of crystals adhering to the inner wall surface (top) of the clarification pipe 202 is small. As a result, it is possible to suppress a part of the crystallized material in the clarification pipe 202 from falling into the molten glass MG and mixing it into the molten glass MG, and further suppressing the incorporation of fine particles into the glass plate of the final product.

That is, in the glass having high viscosity at high temperature, the effect of the present embodiment is more remarkable than before. High temperature viscosity of the glass temperature at a viscosity of 10 ^2.5 poise of 1500 deg.] C or more, whereas the temperature at the viscosity of 10 ^2.5 poise of 1550 deg.] C above the glass, and further not less than 1600 ℃ of glass, the effect of the present embodiment aspect than previously Significant. Further, when SnO _{2 is} used as the clarifying agent and it is necessary to increase the temperature of the molten glass MG in the clarification step, the effect of the present embodiment is more remarkable than before.

In order to more specifically carry out the method for producing such a glass sheet, the time for passing the molten glass MG through the glass supply tube 204 is set to Time (minutes), and the melting from the inlet of the glass supply tube 204 (the outlet of the melting tank 201) is performed. The temperature of the glass MG is raised to a temperature difference of the first highest temperature when the molten glass MG flows through the glass supply pipe 204 (that is, the first highest temperature at which the molten glass flows through the transfer pipe - the temperature of the molten glass at the inlet of the transfer pipe When ΔT (°C) is set, ΔT/Time is preferably 3 to 10 (°C/min). In order to bring the temperature of the molten glass MG in the glass supply pipe 204 to the first highest temperature, the platinum or platinum alloy constituting the glass supply pipe 204 is heated to efficiently perform heat transfer from platinum or platinum alloy to the molten glass MG ( The temperature of the molten glass MG may be set to the first highest temperature in a short period of time, and the platinum or the platinum alloy may be heated to a higher temperature. However, heating the platinum or platinum alloy higher will accelerate the volatilization of the platinum, and it is not preferable to heat the platinum or platinum alloy to a higher temperature in terms of the life of the glass supply tube 204 composed of free expensive platinum or platinum alloy. Therefore, it is preferable not to reduce the temperature difference between the heating temperature of the glass supply pipe 204 and the temperature of the molten glass MG, and to make the glass supply pipe 204 pass through the molten glass for a time (minutes) longer than the previous one, thereby making the molten glass The temperature of the MG reaches the first highest temperature. Therefore, the above ΔT/Time is preferably 3 to 10 (°C/min). The above ΔT/Time is more preferably 3 to 9 (° C./min), and further preferably 3 to 8 (° C./min). Here, the time (minutes) can be based on the information on the manufacturing quantity MG (ton/day) of the glass sheet, the size (flow path section, and tube length) of the glass supply tube 204 in one day using the molten glass MG, and The density of the molten glass MG is determined.

(glass composition)

The glass composition of the glass plate used in the present embodiment is expressed by mass% as follows.

An alkali-free glass containing the following composition: SnO ₂ : 50 to 70%, Al ₂ O ₃ : 0 to 25%, B ₂ O ₃ : 1 to 15%, MgO: 0 to 10%, CaO: 0 to 20% , SrO: 0~20%, BaO: 0~10%, RO: 5~30% (where R is the total amount of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba).

Further, in the present embodiment, the alkali-free glass is used, but the glass substrate may be a trace amount of alkali-containing glass containing a trace amount of an alkali metal. In the case of containing an alkali metal, the total of R' ₂ O is preferably 0.10% or more and 0.5% or less, preferably 0.20% or more and 0.5% or less (wherein R' is at least one selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, and K. , is the component contained in the glass substrate). The total of R' ₂ O may of course be less than 0.10%.

Further, in the case of applying the method for producing a glass substrate of the present invention, a glass raw material can be prepared such that the glass composition contains, in addition to the above respective components, SnO ₂ : 0.01% to 1% (preferably 0.01%). ~0.5%), Fe ₂ O ₃ : 0 to 0.2% (preferably 0.01% to 0.08%), and the glass composition does not substantially contain As ₂ O ₃ , Sb ₂ O ₃ and PbO in consideration of environmental load.

In the present embodiment, in order to make the temperature profile of the molten glass MG in the clarification step the temperature profile A shown in FIG. 4, the glass supply pipe 204 and the clarification pipe 202 are electrically heated and heated, but they may not be able to be used. The actual temperature curve is shown as temperature curve A. For example, according to the cooling effect of the flange supporting the electrode for energizing and heating the glass supply tube 204 and the clarification tube 202, the temperature of the molten glass MG may be partially lowered at the position where the electrode is provided. In this case, the temperature profile of the molten glass MG is as shown by the temperature curve B. That is, the temperature is locally lowered at a position where the upstream end portion of the clarification pipe 202 having the flange and the electrode is provided, and a position between the clarification pipe 202 having the flange and the electrode. In this situation When the molten glass MG flows through the glass supply pipe 204, the highest temperature (the first highest temperature) of the molten glass MG is equal to or higher than the highest temperature (the second highest temperature) of the molten glass MG when flowing through the clarification pipe 202. .

In the above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

202‧‧‧clarification tube

204‧‧‧Glass supply tube

Claims (7)

A method for producing a glass sheet, comprising: a step of: melting a glass raw material to produce a molten glass; and a step of clarifying the molten glass by raising the temperature of the molten glass; The clarification of the molten glass is performed at least in the transfer tube and the clarification tube of the molten glass, and the transfer tube of the molten glass is a tube made of platinum or a platinum alloy, and the molten glass is heated by heating from the outer wall, and the clarification is performed. The pipe is a pipe made of platinum or a platinum alloy, and has a cross section larger than a cross section of the conveying pipe, and the molten glass is supplied from the conveying pipe to flow the molten glass, and has a gas phase space for defoaming the molten glass. In the above-mentioned transfer pipe, the molten glass flows through the entire inner cross section of the transfer pipe, and the first maximum temperature of the molten glass when the molten glass flows through the transfer pipe and the second temperature of the molten glass when flowing through the clarification pipe The highest temperature is equal to or higher than the second highest temperature. The method for producing a glass sheet according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the molten glass reaches the first maximum temperature while the molten glass flows through the transport tube. A method of producing a glass sheet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the molten glass contains SnO ₂ as a fining agent. The method for producing a glass sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the glass used for the glass sheet has a temperature of 1500 ° C or higher at 10 ^2.5 poise. The method for producing a glass sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the time for passing the molten glass through the delivery tube is set to Time (minutes) from the inlet of the delivery tube When the temperature of the molten glass is raised to a temperature difference of ΔT (° C.) between the first highest temperature of the molten glass flowing through the transfer tube, ΔT/Time is 3 to 10 ° C/min. A method for producing a glass sheet, characterized in that it is a method for producing a glass sheet, comprising the steps of: melting a glass raw material to produce a molten glass; and, by the stepwise or continuous cooling of the molten glass after the temperature is raised, a step of clarifying the molten glass; the clarification of the molten glass is performed at least on the conveying pipe and the clarification pipe of the molten glass, and the conveying pipe of the molten glass is a pipe made of platinum or a platinum alloy, which is heated by the outer wall The molten glass is heated, and the clarification pipe is a pipe made of platinum or a platinum alloy, and has a cross section larger than a cross section of the transfer pipe, and the molten glass is supplied from the transfer pipe to flow the molten glass, and has a melting point. a vapor phase space in which the glass is defoamed; wherein the molten glass flows through the entire inner cross section of the transfer pipe; and in the transfer pipe, the temperature of the molten glass is clarified by the temperature rise of the molten glass After the highest temperature, in the above clarification tube, by the above melting Cooling the glass above the temperature of the molten glass is maintained at equal to or less than the above highest temperature and the maximum temperature. A manufacturing apparatus for a glass plate, characterized in that it is a glass plate, the manufacturing device comprising: a melting tank for melting a glass raw material to produce molten glass; and a clarification tube comprising platinum or a platinum alloy, Clarifying while flowing the molten glass; and the above-mentioned molten glass conveying pipe, which is a tube composed of platinum or a platinum alloy, The melting tank is connected to the clarification pipe, and the molten glass is heated by heating the outer wall to clarify the molten glass; the clarification pipe has a cross section larger than a cross section of the transfer pipe, and has a cross section for the molten glass a gas phase space for defoaming; wherein a first maximum temperature of the molten glass when the molten glass flows through the transport pipe is equal to a second highest temperature of the molten glass when the molten glass flows through the clarification pipe, or is higher than a second temperature The above-mentioned conveying pipe is heated in the manner of the highest temperature.