Method for controlling the atmosphere in the refining zone of a glass melting furnace

摘要

Glass is produced in a glassmelting furnace (1) by combusting fuel and oxidant having an oxygen content greater than 80 vol.% oxygen in a melting zone (5) to form molten glass, wherein the surface of the molten glass is exposed to the gaseous atmosphere in the melting zone (5) and the water vapor content of the atmosphere at the surface of the molten glass is greater than 35 vol.%, and oxidant having an oxygen content greater than 80 vol.% is injected into the refining zone (6) of the furnace under conditions to minimize mixing of said oxidant with gases above said oxidant and sweep water vapor at the surface of the molten glass into the melting zone (5) to lower the water vapor content of the atmosphere at the surface of the molten glass.