WO2025071502A1

WO2025071502A1 - An aqueous mixture feeding device

Info

Publication number: WO2025071502A1
Application number: PCT/TR2023/051031
Authority: WO
Inventors: Osman Metin GUNHOS
Original assignee: Eliar Elektronik Sanayi AS
Current assignee: Eliar Elektronik Sanayi AS
Priority date: 2023-09-26
Filing date: 2023-09-26
Publication date: 2025-04-03
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-26

Abstract

The invention relates to a glass batch preparation device and a batch preparation method for a glass furnace, consisting of a premix tank (2) where a batch formed of powdered raw materials suitable for glass production is supplied and a main mixer tank (4) connected to the premix tank (2) for fluid communication. The device includes a water inlet (1) that supplies a controlled amount of water in excess of the weight of the raw material mixture to the premix tank (2) to form a diluted aqueous mixture in the premix tank (2).

Description

AN AQUEOUS MIXTURE FEEDING DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a device for preparing a glass batch with an aqueous mixture, specifically a preparation device where raw materials in powder form are dosed using a weighing apparatus and mixed in a mixer for a glass furnace.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

In glass production, powdered raw materials are brought together based on a specific batch and mixed until the desired level of homogeneity is achieved. The moisture content of the mixture is adjusted by adding water during the mixing process. Before mixing, particular additives in powder form are dosed in small amounts and added to the mixture. However, this process leads to several problems. Small additive raw materials can stick to the transfer devices (chutes, feeders, valves, etc.) before reaching the mixer, get dispersed as dust during transfers, or be absorbed by dustremoval systems. This not only causes environmental pollution but also leads to batch deviations and quality issues because the intended amount of additives does not reach the mixer due to absorption by dust-removal systems.

Additionally, small additives mixed under the same conditions as large quantities of raw materials require a longer mixing time to achieve homogeneous distribution throughout the entire mixture. This reduces the capacity of the device, increases energy consumption, and shortens the lifespan of the mixer due to wear.

Moreover, silos and weighing devices for small additives, which need to be weighed and added to the mixer in small quantities, must be located close to the mixer to avoid the aforementioned losses. This can complicate the design of the device, especially when there are many small additives, and often lead to increased costs due to the need for larger buildings. Additionally, these small additives are delivered to the factory in 25 kg bags or 1000 kg Big-bags and are loaded into raw material silos. Placing the silos on lower floors will facilitate and speed up the loading process.

US2021155521 describes a device and process for the preparation and loading of starting materials for a glass furnace. This system includes the mixing of powdered starting material with liquid water to produce a moistened mass of powdered starting material. Additionally, it includes a system where the moistened starting material is mixed with cullet (broken glass). This mixture is known as the SM/C mixture, a combination of starting material and cullet. A starting material preheater circulates and heats the SM/C mixture, drying it and producing a mass ready for loading. Finally, a system is provided for loading the mass into the glass furnace.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the invention starting from the prior art is to prevent the scattering of small amounts of additives during the preparation of the glass batch for a glass furnace.

In order to achieve above objective, the invention includes a glass batch preparation device for a glass furnace, which consists of a premix tank, where a batch made of powdered raw materials suitable for glass production is supplied, and a main mixer tank, connected to the premix tank for fluid communication. The preparation device includes a water inlet that supplies a controlled amount of water to the premix tank in a quantity exceeding the weight of the raw material mixture to ensure the formation of a diluted aqueous mixture in the premix tank. In prior art, small additive raw materials could stick to the surfaces they encountered before reaching the main mixer tank, disperse into the air during transfers, or be absorbed by dust-removal systems. By forming an aqueous mixture in the premix tank, batch deviations and quality issues due to the inability of the intended amount of additives to reach the mixer are prevented. In one possible embodiment, after or before water is supplied from the water inlet, small additives are added to the premix tank. Alternatively, water and additives may be introduced simultaneously. This allows for simultaneous additive weighing and transfer, increasing the speed and capacity of the system. Alternatively, the batch may first be introduced into the premix tank, followed by water from the water inlet. A feature that enables the application of the invention is the use of part of the water, which already needs to be added to the main mixer, to also transport the additive batch to the main mixer. This invention cannot be applied to processes where no water is added. In this invention, the water added to bring the moisture to the desired level also serves as a carrier medium for the additive raw materials.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the water inlet has a flowmeter adapted to supply water at a predetermined flow rate. Thus, water can be supplied to the premix tank from the water inlet without the need for an additional water tank. A flowmeter may be used for this process, or the water can be weighed together with the additives in the water and additive tank and added in a controlled manner.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the weight ratio of small additive raw materials to water supplied from the water inlet to the premix tank is selected between 1 :20 and 1 :1 , preferably between 1 :15 and 1 :5. In this case, a diluted aqueous mixture is obtained that is fluid enough for transfer rather than just a simple moistening process with the water inlet and additive batch.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the premix tank has a mixer that mixes the small additive raw materials and water. The mixer enables the formation of an aqueous mixture. Depending on the requirements of the process, the water and additive mixture may be mixed with the mixer for a predetermined period.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main mixer is adjusted to mix the raw material and water within it until homogeneous. In this case, the diluted raw materials sent with the water will mix with the other large raw materials more easily and in a shorter time.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the volume of the main mixer tank is adjusted to be larger than the premix tank. In this way, the mixture obtained from the premix tank is mixed with other large raw materials in the main mixer tank in a way that can be fed to the glass furnace.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the premix tank includes a water level sensor set to indicate the amount of water supplied from the water inlet. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the premix tank has a weighing apparatus adapted to supply the powdered raw materials to the premix tank in a controlled manner. If the additives are weighed by independent weighing systems, the measurement and transfer of additives and water can be accomplished without the need for a water and additive tank, additive and water mixer, or weighing sensors. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, all additives and water can be weighed in the same container and prepared for transfer. Thus, all additives and water are weighed and prepared for transfer with a single weighing system. In an alternative embodiment, the additives can be weighed by independent weighing units and transferred to the main tank for mixing with water. This increases the additive preparation speed, and improves weighing precision.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a pipe system provides the transfer of the aqueous mixture between an outlet of the premix tank and an inlet of the main mixer tank. With the pipe system, the necessity of placing the additive materials close to the main mixer is eliminated.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a pump element is provided on the pipe system that pushes the aqueous mixture through the pipe system. Since the additive materials are sent through the pipe system and pump, the transfer of additives by gravity is no longer required, and it becomes possible to install the system in any suitable location within the building. In such buildings, the availability of ample space in lower sections makes this solution even more advantageous.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a valve is provided on the pipe system, adjusted to selectively direct the aqueous mixture to either the premix tank or the main mixer tank. In this case, the transfer control can be switched between a transfer mode, where the aqueous mixture obtained with the preparation device in the premix tank is transferred to the main tank, and a cleaning mode, where the premix tank is cleaned after the transfer.

The invention includes both the glass batch preparation device described above and a method of glass batch preparation. The preferred implementation involves the steps of supplying a batch made of powdered raw materials suitable for glass production or a mixture of raw materials to the premix tank, supplying at least as much water as the batch weight or more from the water inlet to the premix tank, mixing the batch and supplied water in the premix tank until a diluted homogeneous aqueous mixture is obtained, and transferring the aqueous mixture from the premix tank to the main mixer tank. This method also provides a safer way to transport flammable and explosive materials. Since the additive raw materials are carried in water, there will be no loss of additive raw materials, and all weighed raw materials will reach the main mixer tank completely.

A preferred implementation involves the step of supplying cleaning water from the water inlet to the premix tank after the transfer of the aqueous mixture, and directing the cleaning water towards the outlet of the premix tank to clean residual batch material.

A preferred implementation involves directing the cleaning water towards a pipe system connected to the outlet of the premix tank to clean residual batch material. In this way, the pipe can also be cleaned with water supplied after the transfer of the aqueous mixture.

A preferred implementation involves transferring the cleaning water to the main mixer tank through an inlet of the main mixer tank connected to the pipe system. By ensuring the lossless transfer of additive materials via the pipe system, the need to place the additive materials close to the mixer is eliminated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 schematically shows a glass batch preparation device according to the invention.

Figure 2 schematically shows another application of the glass batch preparation device of the invention without a valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the development subject to the invention is explained with reference to examples, without limitation, solely to illustrate the invention more clearly.

In Figure 1 , a schematic view of a preparation device for feeding a glass batch to a glass furnace (not shown) is illustrated. Additives weighed with a weighing apparatus (5) are mixed with water in a premix tank (2) via a mixer (21 ). The homogeneous additive-water mixture is transferred with water to a main mixer tank (4) and a mixer (41 ) therein via a transfer-circulation valve (22) and a pump (3). Additionally, the transfer device, which optionally provides cleaning with water after the transfer, is shown.

Also, in Figure 1 , water supply required for the additive-water mixture in the premix tank (2) is provided by a water inlet (1 ), a flowmeter (11 ) connected to the water inlet (1), an additive weighing sensor (12), and water sensors consisting of a water upperlevel sensor (13) and a water lower-level sensor (14) that equip the premix tank (2).

In Figure 1 , the general perspective view of the additive weighing, mixing, and transfer device according to the invention is shown. As seen in Figure 1 , additives are weighed by a weighing apparatus (5) and emptied into the additive and water tank (2) via a pipe system (6). Alternatively, additives can be weighed by a weighing apparatus (5) and taken in a controlled manner into the additive and water tank (2). Before or after this, a predetermined amount of transfer water can be obtained by opening the valve (1) in the water line. A flowmeter (11) may be used for this process, or the water may be weighed together with the additives in the water and additive tank (4) and added in a controlled manner. Depending on the requirements of the process, the water and additive mixture can be mixed by the mixer (21 ) for a predetermined period, such as 5 minutes.

Figure 2 illustrates another application of the additive weighing, mixing, and transfer device according to the invention, showing its general perspective view. As seen in Figure 2, the mixing process may also be performed by circulating water and additives with the aid of a pump (3) and a circulation valve (22), depending on the requirements of the process.

As seen in Figures 1 and 2, when it is time to add the additive and water to the main mixer tank (4) and mixer (41 ), the pump (3) is activated, and all the water and additives are sent to the main mixer tank (4) and mixer (41 ). The water supply is controlled by water upper and lower-level sensors (13, 14). Similarly, the additive supply is controlled by the additive weighing sensor (12). Depending on the requirements of the process, a predetermined amount of water can be sent after the additive transfer to clean the line.

Additionally, in Figures 1 and 2, when the additives are weighed by independent weighing apparatuses (5), the measurement and transfer of additives and water can be accomplished without the need for an additive and water tank (2), additive and water mixer (21 ), or weighing sensors (12).

In an example application of the device according to the invention, the product name (PROD-X) and the names of the raw materials (Raw Material-x) are kept confidential. In the following calculations, the density of all raw materials is assumed to be 2. The following examples are provided for a batch preparation device that prepares a batch of 4500 kg per batch. Other features of this device are as follows:

- Batch Amount: 4500 kg

- Approximate Batch Volume: 3500 liters

- Mixing Time in the Main Mixer (41): 180 seconds (3 minutes)

- Water Amount to be Added to Each Batch in the Main Mixer (41 ): 40-100 liters, assuming that the moisture of the mixture needs to be increased by 1 % to 3%.

- Water Addition Time in the Main Mixer (41 ): 1 minute

- Estimated Water Supply Flow Rate: 100 liters/min (6 m³/h) (11).

Example 1 is an application of the device according to the invention:

In Example 1 , RM-2 needs to be added to each batch mixture in an amount of 100 grams. Since it is not possible to dose 100 grams of raw material with a 0.1 % dynamic accuracy, it is planned to prepare this raw material once for 20 batches. In this case, 73.28 kg of premix will be prepared for 20 batches. When this mixture is poured into

366 liters of water at a ratio of 1 to 10, we will have 403 kg of aqueous additive mixture. Twenty percent (20.2 kg) of this aqueous additive mixture will need to be dosed into the main mixer (41 ) every 6 minutes. After dosing, the cleaning water to be supplied to the mixer (41 ) will be 21 .7 liters, thus cleaning the dosing line.

We can use a similar application in the following examples.

Example 2 is another application of the device according to the invention:

Example 3 is another application of the device according to the invention:

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 Water inlet

11 Flowmeter

12 Additive weighing sensor

13 Upper water level sensor

14 Lower water level sensor

2 Premix tank

21 Mixer

22 Valve

3 Pump

4 Main mixer tank

41 Main mixer

5 Additive weighing apparatus

6 Pipe system

Claims

1 . A glass batch preparation device for a glass furnace, comprising a premix tank (2), in which a batch formed of powdered raw materials suitable for glass production is supplied, and a main mixer tank (4) connected to the premix tank (2) for fluid communication, characterized by a water inlet (1 ) that supplies a controlled amount of water in excess of the weight of the raw material mixture to the premix tank (2) to form a diluted aqueous mixture in the premix tank (2).

2. The glass batch preparation device according to Claim 1 , wherein a flowmeter (11 ) adapted to supply water at a predetermined flow rate to the water inlet (1 ).

3. The glass batch preparation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the weight ratio of small additive raw materials to water supplied from the water inlet (1 ) to the premix tank (2) being selected between 1 :20 and 1 :1 , preferably between 1 :15 and 1 :5.

4. The glass batch preparation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the premix tank (2) comprising a mixer (21 ) for mixing the raw materials and water.

5. The glass batch preparation device according to Claim 4, wherein the mixer (21 ) being adjusted to mix the raw materials and water within it until homogeneous.

6. The glass batch preparation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the volume of the main mixer tank (4) being adjusted to be larger than the premix tank (2).

7. The glass batch preparation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a water level sensor (13, 14) set to indicate the amount of water supplied from the water inlet (1) to the premix tank (2).

8. The glass batch preparation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a weighing apparatus (5) adapted to supply powdered raw materials to the premix tank (2) in a controlled manner.

9. The glass batch preparation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a pipe system (6) providing the transfer of the aqueous mixture between an outlet of the premix tank (2) and an inlet of the main mixer tank (4).

10. The glass batch preparation device according to Claim 9, wherein a pump element (3) provided on the pipe system (6) that pushes the aqueous mixture through the pipe system (6).

11. The glass batch preparation device according to Claims 9 or 10, wherein a valve (22) provided on the pipe system (6), adjusted to selectively direct the aqueous mixture to either the premix tank (2) or the main mixer tank (4).

12. A glass batch preparation method for a glass furnace, comprising the steps of supplying a batch formed of powdered raw materials suitable for glass production or a mixture of raw materials to the premix tank (2); supplying at least as much water as the batch weight or more from the water inlet (1 ) to the premix tank (2); mixing the batch and supplied water in the premix tank (2) until a diluted homogeneous aqueous mixture is obtained, and transferring the aqueous mixture from the premix tank (2) to the main mixer tank (4).

13. The method according to Claim 12, comprising the steps of supplying cleaning water from the water inlet (1) to the premix tank (2) after the transfer of the aqueous mixture, and directing the cleaning water towards the outlet of the premix tank (2) to clean residual batch material.

14. The method according to Claim 13, comprising the step of directing the cleaning water towards a pipe system (6) connected to the outlet of the premix tank (2) to clean residual batch material.

15. The method according to Claim 14, comprising the step of transferring the cleaning water to the main mixer tank (4) through an inlet of the main mixer tank (4) connected to the pipe system (6).