Using our glass chemistry knowledge combined with our practical
experience with glass melting, we help you optimizing your glass
production process and improving your glass quality. E.g. we assist
container and float glass manufacturers in colour change over
optimisation on their melting furnace, we help you improving your glass
(melt) characteristics (e.g. colour, chemical durability, viscosity,...)
or we develop your new glass product (e.g. boron free, lead free, ...).
Glass colour changes are real challenges, requiring a maximum of
experience and expertise in both furnace operation & control and
glass chemistry & physics. During a colour change, two different
glasses, often not compatible (e.g. different redox states) are mixed in
your melting furnace. There is a high risk that the combination of a
very high pull (needed for a fast colour change) and changing glass
characteristics will cause fundamental changes in furnace glass melt
flow and melting reactions, resulting in a very strong glass quality
degradation, as numerous defects like cords, seeds and blisters will be
generated. Once blocked in this situation, it will be extremely
difficult and frustratingly time consuming, taking a few days to several
weeks, to regain your high quality glass production.
As we performed dozens of complex colour changes in the past, we
developed detailed colour change procedures based upon objectives of
optimising the transition time and minimising your production losses. We
offer you our high value expertise and extra experiences at a cost that
is completely negligible compared to the financial losses that can be
caused by a failed colour change.
Projects
e.g.
- Development of new batches for various glass types e.g. soda-lime
glass, borosilicate glass, crystal, fibre glass, ....
- Batch formula optimisation and glass chemistry assistance and
troubleshooting.
- Batch cost optimisation; using in-house developed software we
determine your batch formula for a given a target chemical
composition at the lowest batch cost per tonne molten glass.
- Batch formula and glass chemistry modifications to optimise glass
melt characteristics and/or glass quality characteristics.
- e.g. optimisation of density, viscosity, working range, chemical
durability, thermal shock resistance, liquidus temperature, light
transmission, colour, brightness, ....
- Batch modifications to improve the glass melting and/or fining
process;
- e.g. using comparative simultaneous lab melting tests of two
different batches with different raw materials or components.
- Lab melting studies to study the melting process, intermediate
crystalline phases and the forming process of a vitreous phase e.g.
to determine the glass melting benefits of specific raw materials or
batch components.
- On-site assistance for optimisation of your colour change
processes using our proven strategy and procedures for batch
modification and furnace control.
- Advice and help for glass productions according CIE and CIE-Lab
colour specifications;
- e.g. elaboration of batches for flint, amber, green, antique
green, olive green, UVAG, dead leaf, royal blue, ...according given
colour definitions and specifications for dominant wavelength,
spectral purity and brightness.
- Feasibility studies and development of unique non-standard colours
e.g. grey, purple, greenish blue, ....
- Lab-melting tests for new glass colour development and colour
measurements according CIE or CIE-Lab colour parameters.
- Flint glass colour quality improvement, batches for extra clear
flint; physical and chemical decolourisation optimisations.
- Elaboration of high cullet batches e.g. for coloured container
glass or for glass wool or glass technology assistance introducing
cullet in specific glass production runs e.g. float glass,
tableware, fibre glass, ....
- Batch formula and glass chemistry troubleshooting.
We welcome your questions & inquiries...
We invite you to explore our website...