BOC has installed its 35th CGM(TM) advanced melting technology system on one of Saint- Gobain's float glass furnaces, which produces glass used around the world in automotive manufacturing and building construction. In a 90-day trial in late 2005, the CGM technology enabled Saint-Gobain to boost production by 19 percent over air fuel operation, and 9 percent over the conventional oxy-fuel boosting technologies used in the furnace before the CGM system was installed.
Following the trial, Saint-Gobain agreed to adopt the technology under a longer term contract.
"Our plant has never achieved the higher pull rates obtained by the use of the CGM technology without damaging the superstructure of the furnace. The CGM technology exceeded our expectations for increasing pull while maintaining our exacting product quality," said Claude Voide, international technical director, Saint-Gobain Glass.
The BOC CGM technology melts glass faster than side-fired configurations by directly applying oxy-fuel flames on the batch in the furnace. The resulting improved heat transfer rate has several benefits, including better quality, increased pull, decreased furnace size, decreased NOx emissions and improved thermal efficiency.
Dick Marshall, commercial director for BOC's CGM technology, said, "This is an important application because the CGM system was installed on a furnace that was in excellent condition. This enabled us to accurately measure furnace performance and quantify the technology's benefits."
Glenn Rush, vice president of BOC's global glass market sector, says the CGM technology delivers a step-change improvement in the melting capability of glass furnaces. It can be used to boost capacity or increase the yield of an existing furnace, or as the base technology in a new furnace to reduce the size of the furnace need for the same capacity output. Our CGM technology has demonstrated improved quality and consistency in all segments, including float glass, container, specialty and fiberglass."
Read the entire news on the source link below.
BOC Technology Boosts Productivity at Saint-Gobain Glass Plant; 35th CGM(TM) Advanced Melting System Installed on Glass Furnaces Worldwide
BOC, one of the world's largest industrial gases companies and a leader in developing advanced solutions for the world's glass manufacturers, is helping Saint-Gobain Glass boost productivity at one of its European furnaces.