Glass melting furnaces operate under extremely high temperatures and harsh chemical conditions. The refractory lining is continuously affected by molten glass corrosion, thermal shock, mechanical stress, and high temperature erosion.
Choosing suitable refractory materials for different furnace areas is crucial for improving the service life of furnaces, use suitable refractory pan mixer in material preparation is important, maintaining glass quality, and reducing maintenance costs.
Different areas of glass melting furnaces have different operating conditions.
For example:
The furnace top needs to have excellent thermal stability and the ability to resist temperature changes.
The side walls and bottom are directly exposed to the corrosion of molten glass.
Heat storage devices require materials with good volume stability at high temperatures.
The field of thermal insulation focuses more on reducing heat loss and improving energy efficiency.
Therefore, a single refractory material cannot meet the requirements of all furnace areas.
The main refractory materials used in glass furnaces( Normally produced by pan mixer)
AZS brick (alumina zirconia silica brick)
Due to its excellent resistance to molten glass corrosion, AZS bricks are one of the most widely used refractory materials in glass melting furnaces.
They are typically used for:
• Furnace wall
• Glass contact area
• Bottom structure
• Critical melting zone
AZS bricks provide:
• Excellent corrosion resistance
Low degree of glass contamination
• High temperature stability
AZS bricks are available in different grades such as AZS 33, AZS 36, and AZS 41 for different glass melting furnace conditions.
Silicon brick
Silicon brick is a traditional and important refractory material for glass furnace roofs and heat storage devices.
Their advantages include:
• High refractoriness
Excellent structural stability
• Good resistance to thermal deformation
Typical applications:
• Furnace crown
• Regeneration room
• Upper furnace structure
Silicon bricks are particularly suitable for fields that require high temperature stability and dimensional accuracy. Pan mixer or planetary mixer is good for silicon materials mixing process.
Selection of refractory materials for glass furnace area
1. Furnace top
The furnace top is exposed to high temperature radiation and continuous thermal cycles for a long time, so refractory materials need to have excellent stability and deformation resistance to cope with long-term operation.
Recommended materials:
• Silicon brick
• High alumina bricks
Key requirements:
• High refractoriness
• Low deformation
• Good thermal stability
2. Side wall and glass contact area
The sidewall is directly exposed to molten glass and severe chemical corrosion environment. Refractory materials must have excellent corrosion resistance and maintain a long service life.
Recommended materials:
AZS bricks
• Electric fused AZS brick
Key requirements:
• Strong corrosion resistance
• Low risk of bubbles and defects
• High structural stability
3. Furnace bottom
The furnace bottom is continuously subjected to molten glass and mechanical stress during operation. Therefore, dense and stable refractory materials are needed to ensure their long-term reliable performance.
Recommended materials:
AZS bricks
• Melting casting refractory materials
Key requirements:
• Strong corrosion resistance
• High density and stability
• Long service life
Melting casting refractory materials is kind of special castable materials, the process of preparation mix by pan mixer or intensive mixer.
4. Burner port
The burner port area is subjected to high temperatures, flame impacts, and rapid temperature changes. Refractory materials need to have strong heat resistance and mechanical strength.
Recommended materials:
AZS bricks
• High alumina bricks
Key requirements:
Excellent thermal shock resistance
• High mechanical strength
• Resistance to flame erosion
5. Regenerator
During the operation of the furnace, the heat storage device will undergo repeated heating and cooling cycles. The material needs to have excellent thermal stability and resistance to temperature fluctuations.
Recommended materials:
• Silicon brick
• High alumina bricks
Key requirements:
• Good heat shock resistance
• Excellent volume stability
• Resistant to temperature fluctuations
6. Insulation area
These fields are dedicated to reducing heat loss and improving the energy efficiency of furnaces. Lightweight refractory materials are selected for insulation and thermal protection applications.
Recommended materials:
Ceramic fiber products
Lightweight insulation material
Key requirements:
Low thermal conductivity
• Lightweight structure
Excellent insulation performance
