TW201444773A - Float glass manufacturing device and float glass manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a float glass manufacturing device provided with a bath for holding molten metal, and with which molten glass that is continuously supplied onto the molten metal in the bath is formed by causing the molten glass to flow over the molten metal, wherein the bath includes the following: a metal casing that opens upwards; side bricks that protect a side part of the metal casing from the molten metal; and eaves that extend from at least a portion of the side part of the metal casing to the area above at least a portion of the side bricks.

Description

Floating glass manufacturing device and floating glass manufacturing method

The present invention relates to a floating glass manufacturing apparatus and a floating glass manufacturing method.

The float glass manufacturing apparatus is provided with a bath for accommodating molten metal, and the molten glass which is continuously supplied to the molten metal in the bath flows on the molten metal to form a strip shape (for example, see Patent Document 1). The bath includes, for example, a metal outer casing that is open upward, a side brick that protects the side of the metal outer casing from molten metal, and a bottom brick that protects the bottom of the metal outer casing from molten metal. A ceiling is arranged above the bath to make the side seal blocking the gap between the ceiling and the side bricks detachable. Thus, in order to prevent oxidation of the molten metal in the bath, the upper side of the molten metal is set as a reducing atmosphere.

[Advanced technical literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2010-53031

The gap between the side bricks and the ceiling is blocked by the side seals, but there is a case where it is difficult to completely block the outside air and enter. The external gas is relatively cold and heavy, so it flows between the side of the metal casing and the side bricks below, and is transferred between the bottom of the metal casing and the bottom brick to oxidize the molten metal from below.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a floating glass manufacturing apparatus capable of suppressing oxidation of molten metal.

In order to solve the above problems, according to an aspect of the present invention, a floating glass manufacturing apparatus including a bath for containing molten metal and continuously supplying molten glass to a molten metal in the bath is provided in the melting. Forming on the metal, the bath includes a metal outer casing that is open upward, and a side brick that protects a side portion of the metal outer casing from the molten metal, and further includes at least a portion from a side portion of the metal outer casing, a crotch extending above at least a portion of the side panels.

According to the present invention, there is provided a floating glass manufacturing apparatus capable of suppressing oxidation of molten metal.

10‧‧‧glass materials

12‧‧‧ molten glass

14‧‧‧glass ribbon

16‧‧‧ molten metal

100‧‧‧Floating glass manufacturing equipment

200‧‧‧melting device

220‧‧‧ burner

300‧‧‧Forming device

310‧‧‧ bath

312‧‧‧Metal casing

313‧‧‧ side

313a‧‧‧Outer wall

313b‧‧‧ Entrance Department

313c‧‧‧Spout Department

313d‧‧‧Export

314‧‧‧ bottom

315‧‧‧ side brick

315a‧‧‧outer brick

315b‧‧‧ entrance brick

315c‧‧‧spout brick

315d‧‧‧export brick

316‧‧‧Bottom brick

317‧‧‧ cushion

318‧‧‧檐

318a‧‧‧ joint

318b‧‧‧ highlights

319‧‧‧slit

320‧‧‧ Ceiling

322‧‧‧Top cover

323‧‧‧ side

324‧‧‧ Ceiling Department

325‧‧‧ side wall

326‧‧‧ top brick

327‧‧‧Preheating space

328‧‧‧ gas supply road

329‧‧‧Forming space

330‧‧‧ side seals

340‧‧‧heater

350‧‧‧Supply device

352‧‧‧ overflow lip

354‧‧‧Flow gate control gate

355‧‧‧Support brick

356‧‧‧ side column

358‧‧‧ flat arch

360‧‧‧ clearance space

362‧‧‧ gas inlet

364‧‧‧ gas introduction tube

400‧‧‧Slow cooling device

410‧‧‧Transport roller

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a floating glass manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the forming apparatus taken along line II-II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view showing the side of the bath of Figure 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing the upstream end portion of the molding apparatus of Fig. 1 and showing an enlarged plan view showing a state in which the crotch portion has been removed.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing an upstream end portion of the molding apparatus of Fig. 1 and showing an enlarged plan view showing a state in which the crucible is mounted.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the forming apparatus taken along line VI-VI of Figure 5 .

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the bottom of a metal casing according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same or corresponding reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding components, and the description is omitted.

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a manufacturing apparatus of a glass sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the floating glass manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a melting apparatus 200, a forming apparatus 300, and a slow cooling apparatus 400.

The melting device 200 melts the glass raw material 10 into molten glass 12. The melting device 200 includes a melting tank 210 that houses the molten glass 12 and a burner 220 that forms a flame above the molten glass 12 housed in the melting tank 210. The glass raw material 10 introduced into the melting tank 210 is gradually melted into the molten glass 12 by the radiant heat of the flame formed by the burner 220.

The molding apparatus 300 shapes the molten glass 12 supplied from the melting apparatus 200 into a strip-shaped glass ribbon 14. The molding apparatus 300 includes a bath 310 in which the molten metal 16 is housed, and the molten glass 12 continuously supplied to the molten metal 16 via the supply device 350 flows on the molten metal 16 to form a strip shape. The molten glass 12 is formed into a specific thickness while flowing in the downstream direction, and is gradually cooled and gradually solidified. The glass ribbon 14 formed in this manner is lifted from the molten metal 16 at the downstream portion of the bath 310, and is drawn out from the forming apparatus 300.

The molten metal 16 is preferably a molten tin or a molten tin alloy, more preferably molten tin.

The slow cooling device 400 gradually cools the glass ribbon 14 formed by the molding apparatus 300 while continuously conveying it to the downstream direction. The slow cooling device 400 includes a conveying roller 410 that conveys the glass ribbon 14 horizontally and the like. The glass ribbon 14 pulled out from the slow cooling device 400 is cut into a specific size by a cutter to obtain a glass plate as a product.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the forming apparatus taken along line II-II of Figure 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the forming apparatus 300 includes a bath 310 for accommodating the molten metal 16, a ceiling 320 disposed above the bath 310, and a side seal 330 for blocking a gap between the bath 310 and the ceiling 320.

The bath 310 includes a metal outer casing 312 that is open upward, a plurality of side bricks 315 that protect the side portions 313 of the metal outer casing 312 from the molten metal 16, and a plurality of bottoms that protect the bottom 314 of the metal outer casing 312 from the molten metal 16. Brick 316. A plurality of side bricks 315 and a plurality of bottom bricks 316 are laid on the bottom 314 of the metal casing 312.

The metal casing 312 is constituted by a horizontally disposed bottom portion 314 and a side portion 313 extending upward from the outer edge of the bottom portion 314. The metal casing 312 is constructed by a plurality of metal plates which are integrated by welding. The metal casing 312 is cooled from the outside, and the temperature of the metal casing 312 is set to be lower than the melting point of the metal contained in the bath 310 (for example, about 232 ° C in the case of tin). The leakage of the molten metal 16 can be suppressed.

A gap formed between the side portion 313 of the metal casing 312 and the side brick 315 may be filled with, for example, a powdery heat-resistant material. The contact of the molten metal 16 of the inflow side bricks 315 with each other (refer to FIG. 3) and the metal casing 312 can be prevented, so that deterioration of the metal casing 312 can be suppressed.

A bottom plate 314 of the metal casing 312 is provided with a lining 317 for absorbing the unevenness of the bottom portion 314, and a side brick 315 and a bottom brick 316 are placed on the gasket 317. Therefore, a slight gap is formed between the bottom 314 of the metal casing 312 and the side bricks 315 and between the bottom bricks 316.

The ceiling 320 includes a metal top cover outer casing 322 that is open downward, a plurality of side walls 325 disposed on the side portions 323 of the top cover outer casing 322, and a plurality of top bricks disposed at intervals from the ceiling portion 324 of the top cover outer casing 322. 326. The plurality of top bricks 326 can be held by a frame (not shown) suspended from the ceiling portion 324 of the top cover outer casing 322.

The top cover outer casing 322 is configured by a horizontally disposed ceiling portion 324 and a side portion 323 extending downward from the outer edge of the ceiling portion 324. The top cover outer casing 322 is constructed by a plurality of metal plates which are integrated by welding.

A preheating space 327 for preheating the reducing gas is formed between the ceiling portion 324 of the top cover 322 and the top brick 326. The reducing gas preheated by the preheating space 327 is supplied to the forming space 329 formed between the top brick 326 and the molten metal 16 through the gas supply path 328 formed in the top brick 326.

The reducing gas contains, for example, 1 to 15% by volume of hydrogen and 85 to 99% by volume of nitrogen. The reducing gas reacts with an external gas (in detail, oxygen) mixed in the forming space 329 to generate steam, thereby suppressing oxidation of the molten metal 16.

In order to suppress the incorporation of external air, the forming space 329 is set to be higher than atmospheric pressure. Pressure.

The heater 340 is inserted into the gas supply path 328 formed in the top brick 326. The heater 340 is provided in plural in the flow direction of the molten glass 12 and the width direction of the molten glass 12, respectively, at intervals. The output of the heater 340 is controlled such that the temperature from the upstream side toward the downstream side becomes lower as the temperature of the molten glass 12 becomes lower. Further, the output of the heater 340 is controlled so that the thickness of the molten glass 12 becomes uniform in the width direction.

In order to simplify the maintenance work of the forming apparatus 300, the side seals 330 are disposed detachably between the side bricks 315 and the ceiling 320 of the bathtub 310. The side seal 330 is formed of a metal case and may have a hollow structure.

The side seals 330 block the gap between the side tiles 315 and the ceiling 320. However, it is difficult to completely block, for example, a small gap formed between the side seal 330 and the side tile 315 penetrates the outside air.

Therefore, the bath 310 is provided with a crotch portion 318 extending from the side portion 313 of the metal casing 312 to the upper side of the side brick 315 in order to adjust the flow of the infiltrated outside air. The dam portions 318 may be respectively disposed at the side portions 313 of the left and right sides of the metal casing 312, or may be disposed at the upstream portion to the downstream portion of the side portions 313 of the metal casing 312. Furthermore, the crotch portion 318 may also be disposed only in a portion of the side portion 313 of the metal outer casing 312.

The dam portion 318 can be constituted by a joint portion 318a joined by a side portion 313 of 312 by welding or the like and a plate-like projecting portion 318b horizontally protruding from the joint portion 318a. The protrusion 318b covers the gap between the side portion 313 of the metal outer casing 312 and the side brick 315 and extends above the side brick 315. The protruding portion 318b is placed on the side wall 315, and the side seal 330 is placed on the protruding portion 318b.

The crotch portion 318 prevents the intrusion of the cooler and heavier outside air between the crotch portion 318 and the side seal member 330 toward the lower side, and prevents the atmosphere from being transferred outside the metal casing 312. The reason for this is that since the metal casing 312 is cooled to a temperature lower than the melting point of the metal contained in the bath 310, the reaction of oxygen and hydrogen in the vicinity of the metal casing 312 hardly proceeds.

The crotch portion 318 horizontally guides the cooler, heavier outside air that has penetrated between the crotch portion 318 and the side seal member 330 along the projection portion 318b to separate it from the side portion 313 of the metal outer casing 312. The external gas is heated to a temperature at which oxygen reacts with hydrogen by heat from the side seal 330 or the side bricks 315 or the like. Therefore, the oxygen contained in the outside air reacts with the hydrogen contained in the reducing gas to generate steam, which lowers the concentration of oxygen, thereby suppressing oxidation of the molten metal 16.

Since the temperature at which the reaction between oxygen and hydrogen actually starts at about 585 ° C, it is preferable that the temperature of the front end portion (the right end portion in Fig. 2) of the protruding portion 318b is 585 ° C or higher. The temperature of the front end portion of the protruding portion 318b is more preferably 600 ° C or more, and still more preferably 620 ° C or more. Further, if the protruding portion 318b covers at least the gap between the side portion 313 and the side wall 315, direct penetration of the outside air into the gap can be suppressed.

Furthermore, the temperature of the base end portion (the left end portion in FIG. 2) of the protruding portion 318b may be the same temperature as the temperature of the side portion 313 of the metal casing 312, or may be lower than that contained in the bath 310. The temperature of the metal (for example, about 232 ° C for tin).

The temperature difference between the front end portion of the protruding portion 318b and the base end portion of the protruding portion 318b is 350 ° C or higher. In order to suppress the change of the protruding portion 318b caused by the temperature difference, the slit 319 may be provided in the protruding portion 318b.

Figure 3 is a plan view showing the side of the bath of Figure 2; As shown in FIG. 3, the slit 319 may extend from the high temperature front end portion (the right end portion in FIG. 3) of the protruding portion 318b to the low temperature base end portion (the left end portion in FIG. 3) of the protruding portion 318b. The high temperature front end of the projection 318b is divided into a plurality of blocks which are separated from each other by the slit 319. The slit 319 absorbs the thermal expansion of each block and suppresses the change of the protrusion 318b. Infiltration of external air from between the protruding portion 318b and the side seal 330 can be suppressed.

The slits 319 are provided in plural in the longitudinal direction of the protruding portion 318b (the direction parallel to the flow direction of the molten glass 12) at intervals. If the number of the slits 319 is large and the length of the slit 319 is long, it is easy to suppress the change of the protruding portion 318b, but it is difficult to carry out external gas. Reaction with hydrogen. The number of the slits 319 or the length of the slit 319 is set so as to simultaneously achieve the effect of suppressing the change of the protruding portion 318b and the effect of suppressing the oxidation of the molten metal 16.

As shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable that the slit 319 overlaps the side brick 315 in plan view and does not overlap with the gap between the side portion 313 of the metal outer casing 312 and the side brick 315. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the penetration of outside air into the gap.

Next, the supply device 350 will be described with reference to Figs. 1, 2, and 4 to 6. Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing the upstream end portion of the molding apparatus of Fig. 1 and showing an enlarged plan view showing a state in which the crotch portion has been removed. Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing an upstream end portion of the molding apparatus of Fig. 1 and showing an enlarged plan view showing a state in which the crucible is mounted. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the forming apparatus taken along line VI-VI of Figure 5 .

The supply device 350 is disposed at the upstream end of the bath 310 to supply the molten glass 12 to the molten metal 16 in the bath 310. The supply device 350 is constituted by a spout lip 352, a pair of side jams 354, a support brick 355, a flow control shutter (twee1) 356, a flat arch 358, and the like.

As shown in Fig. 1, the overflow lip 352 integrally has an inclined portion in which the horizontal portion and the downstream end of the horizontal portion extend obliquely downward. The molten glass 12 flowing over the overflow lip 352 is introduced into the bath 310 from the downstream end of the inclined portion.

As shown in FIG. 6, the pair of side posts 354 prevent the molten glass 12 flowing over the overflow lip 352 from overflowing to the outer side in the width direction. The side post 354 is placed on the spout brick 315c via the support brick 355. A flat arch 358 is placed on the pair of side posts 354.

As shown in FIG. 1, the flow path control shutter 356 protrudes downward from the flat arch 358 and is inserted between the pair of side posts 354. The flow path control shutter 356 is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the overflow lip 352. The molten glass 12 having a flow rate corresponding to the size of the opening surrounded by the overflow lip 352, the pair of side columns 354, and the flow path control shutter 356 is supplied into the bath 310.

Next, the arrangement of the crotch portion 318 will be described with reference to Figs. 1, 2, and 4 to 6 again. First, the configuration of the metal casing 312 will be described.

The side portion 313 of the metal casing 312 includes a pair of outer wall portions 313a (see FIG. 2), a pair of inlet portions 313b (see FIG. 4), a nozzle portion 313c (see FIGS. 1, 4, and 6), and an outlet portion 313d ( Refer to Figure 1).

The outer wall portion 313a is disposed outside the width direction of the flow of the molten glass 12. The outer wall portion 313a is disposed to flow along the molten glass 12, and is formed along the flow of the molten glass 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the pair of inlet portions 313b extend inward in the width direction from the upstream end of the outer wall portion 313a, and are perpendicular to the flow of the molten glass 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the nozzle portion 313c protrudes toward the upstream side from the pair of inlet portions 313b, and connects the pair of inlet portions 313b to each other. The outlet portion 313d is connected to the downstream end of the outer wall portion 313a so as to be perpendicular to the flow of the molten glass 12.

The side brick 315 includes an outer wall 315a (see FIG. 2) for protecting the outer wall portion 313a, an inlet brick 315b (see FIG. 4) for protecting the inlet portion 313b, and a nozzle brick 315c for protecting the nozzle portion 313c (refer to FIGS. 1, 4, and 6). And the outlet brick 315d of the outlet portion 313d (see Fig. 1).

As shown in FIG. 2, the crotch portion 318 can extend at least from the outer wall portion 313a above the outer wall brick 315a.

As shown in Figure 5, the crotch portion 318 can extend at least from the inlet portion 313b above the inlet brick 315b. In this case, the crotch portion 318 covers at least a portion of the upper surface of the inlet brick 315b that is exposed to the outside air.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the crotch portion 318 can extend at least from the spout portion 313c above the spout brick 315c. In this case, the crotch portion 318 covers at least a portion of the upper surface of the spout brick 315c that is exposed to the outside air, and as shown in FIG. 6, may be inserted between the spout brick 315c and the support brick 355.

The crotch portion 318 can extend at least above the outlet brick 315d from the outlet portion 313d shown in FIG.

Further, the crotch portion 318 may be disposed on the entire circumference of the bathtub 310. Further, the crotch portion 318 can extend from a portion of the side portion 313 of the metal outer casing 312 above at least a portion of the side brick 315. At this time, it is preferable that the dam portion 318 covers at least the gap between the side portion 313 of the metal outer casing 312 and the side brick 315, and further preferably covers the portion of the side brick 315 exposed to the outside air.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the bottom of a metal casing in another embodiment of the present invention. A gasket 317 is placed on the bottom 314 of the metal casing 312, and a bottom brick 316 is placed on the gasket 317. Therefore, a small gap space 360 is formed between the bottom 314 of the metal casing 312 and the bottom brick 316.

Further, a plurality of gas introduction ports 362 are opened in the bottom portion 314 of the metal casing 312 so as to communicate the gap space 360, and a gas introduction pipe 364 is attached to the lower portion of the gas introduction port 362, and the gas introduction pipe 364 is connected to the gas introduction device ( Not shown). The gas introduction mechanism is constituted by the gas introduction pipe 364 or the like.

The gas introduction mechanism introduces gas into the gap space 360 from the gas introduction port 362. Thereby, the gap space 360 can be maintained at a pressure higher than the forming space 329, and the penetration of the outside air into the gap space 360 can be prevented. The gas to be introduced may be an inert gas or a reducing gas. Examples of the inert gas include nitrogen (N ₂ ), argon (Ar), and the like. Further, examples of the reducing gas include hydrogen (H ₂ ), acetylene, a mixed gas of these gases and an inert gas, and the like, and may be the same or similar gas as the reducing gas supplied to the forming space 329.

The gas introduction mechanism can change the type of gas, the mixing ratio, the pressure, and the flow rate. For example, the gas introduction mechanism may temporarily increase the flow rate of the gas to drive off the flashing of the external gas that has entered the gap space 360.

Further, the gas introduction mechanism of the present embodiment introduces gas from the gas introduction port 362 of the bottom portion 314 to the gap space 360, but may be formed from the gas introduction port of the side portion 313 to the gap formed between the side portion 313 and the side wall 315. Introduce gas.

The embodiments of the floating glass manufacturing apparatus and the floating glass manufacturing method have been described above. Although the description has been made, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various changes and improvements can be made within the scope of the gist of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims.

For example, the crotch portion 318 of the above embodiment is placed on the side wall 315, but may extend above the side brick 315 or may not be in contact with the side wall 315. The external air may be sufficiently heated before flowing into the gap between the dam portion 318 and the side bricks 315, so that most of the oxygen contained in the external gas reacts with the hydrogen gas to become water vapor.

The present application claims the priority of the Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-057888, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

12‧‧‧ molten glass

16‧‧‧ molten metal

310‧‧‧ bath

312‧‧‧Metal casing

313‧‧‧ side

313a‧‧‧Outer wall

314‧‧‧ bottom

315‧‧‧ side brick

315a‧‧‧outer brick

316‧‧‧Bottom brick

317‧‧‧ cushion

318‧‧‧檐

318a‧‧‧ joint

318b‧‧‧ highlights

320‧‧‧ Ceiling

322‧‧‧Top cover

323‧‧‧ side

324‧‧‧ Ceiling Department

325‧‧‧ side wall

326‧‧‧ top brick

327‧‧‧Preheating space

328‧‧‧ gas supply road

329‧‧‧Forming space

330‧‧‧ side seals

340‧‧‧heater

Claims (12)

A floating glass manufacturing apparatus comprising: a bath for containing molten metal, wherein molten glass continuously supplied to molten metal in the bath is formed by flowing on the molten metal, wherein the bath includes a metal that is open upward And a side wall that protects the side of the metal casing from the molten metal, and further includes a flange extending from at least a portion of the side of the metal casing to at least a portion of the side brick. The floating glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the side portion of the metal casing includes: a pair of outer wall portions disposed on an outer side in a width direction of a flow of the molten glass; and a pair of inlet portions, the like The upstream end of the outer wall portion extends inward in the width direction; the spout portion protrudes upstream from the pair of inlet portions and connects the pair of inlet portions; and the outlet portion connects the downstream end of the outer wall portion each other. The floating glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the side brick includes an outer wall brick that protects the outer wall portion from the molten metal, and the crotch portion extends at least from the outer wall portion to the outer wall brick. A floating glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said side brick includes an inlet brick for protecting said inlet portion from said molten metal, and said weir portion extends at least from said inlet portion above said inlet brick. The floating glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the side brick includes an outlet brick that protects the outlet portion from the molten metal, and the crotch portion is at least from the outlet portion to the outlet brick Extend above. The floating glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the side brick includes a spout brick that protects the spout portion from the molten metal. And the crotch portion extends at least from the spout portion to the upper side of the spout brick. The floating glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the crotch portion is provided over the entire circumference of the bath. The floating glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a slit is formed in the crotch portion. The floating glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one gas introduction port is provided in the metal casing; and the gas is introduced from the gas introduction port to be formed to protect the metal casing from the above A gas introduction mechanism for the gap between the brick affected by the molten metal and the above metal casing. The floating glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the gas is an inert gas or a reducing gas. The floating glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the gas introduction port is provided at a bottom of the metal casing, and the gas is introduced into a gap between the bottom of the metal casing and the bottom brick. A method of manufacturing a floating glass comprising the step of forming a molten glass using the floating glass manufacturing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 11.