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Gases in glass industry

We have developed a wide range of gas applications, process technologies and services to cover all glass melting, forming and processing needs.

Glass melting

Depending on your individual needs and challenges in the melting process, industrial gases can contribute significantly to your business success.
With our oxyfuel combustion solutions (= using oxygen instead or in addition to air) you can realise the following benefits:
•    Fuel consumption down by as much as 35% due to improved heat transfer
•    15% saving on the OPEX front
•    Up to 40% rise in productivity due to faster melting cycles
•    Emissions of NOx, SO2 and CO2 down by up to 75%, 30% and 5% respectively
•    and many more.

Glass melting solutions from Linde: 


COROX® oxyfuel melting

This solution is ideal if you:
- require very high melting temperatures (e.g. 1560°C and higher),
- produce fibre or speciality glass,
- need to improve energy efficiency,
- need to reduce emissions,
- want to increase your capacity,
- operate heat recovery systems with low preheating temperatures
  (e.g. recuperative systems),
- wish to reduce your footprint.


COROX® oxyfuel boosting

Boosting is the method of choice if you
- wish to increase your melting capacity without changing your furnace footprint
- wish to optimise the number of furnaces you have in operation.

Complementing your air-fuel burners, oxyfuel burners are installed and/or oxygen is injected through high-pressure lances. This raises flame temperatures by eliminating nitrogen and increasing the oxygen concentration. As a result, oxyfuel boosting also raises the concentration of CO2 and H2O in the vicinity of the flame. And since these gases are mainly responsible for thermal radiation, they make gas jets more efficient. 


COROX® oxyservice during maintenance and repair work

This is a temporary installation designed to ensure continuity of service during maintenance or repair work.

Our COROX® Oxyservice is of particular interest to operators with a plugged regenerator or leaking recuperative heat recovery system. Here we deliver the oxygen lances and all supporting supply equipment for the duration of the maintenance work.


COROX® LowNOx for decreased emission

Our innovative COROX® LowNOx solution is the ideal way to reduce NOx emissions in order to comply with stricter legislation.

It involves injecting additional oxygen through high-pressure lances to create a more intense, directional flue gas recirculation effect within the furnace. As a result, the main air/gas burner system produces a diluted, staged combustion process. The fuel dilution leads to a more homogenous flame and a reduced flame temperature. As the flame temperature has a direct impact on NOx levels, this lowers emissions significantly. A lower flame temperature also reduces the concentration of hydrocarbon radicals in the furnace, thereby limiting NOx formation. In addition, an improved heat transfer rate shortens the window during which NOx can form.

Gas bubbling

During melting and refining, gas bubbling through molten glass can help to enhance glass melting convection currents and improve re-adsorption of any remaining bubbles into the melt in order to eliminate defects.
Gases can also be bubbled through the melt to help improve glass conditioning. As oxygen is more soluble than air, it is an effective way to reduce seed formation. Helium is often used for premium products.
We provide the full range of regular and inert gases (e.g. HE, O2, N2, Ar) and supply systems to support all bubbling applications.

Atmosphere analysis & process control 

You can also rely on us to provide the full range of high-precision calibration gases and process control gas mixtures to support compliance with emissions regulations through accurate monitoring and reporting of atmosphere and flue gas measurements.

Glass Forming 

Achieving high-quality glass products by minimising impurities in the forming process

Gases play an important role in the forming of float glass, where a nitrogen/hydrogen atmosphere is used to avoid oxidation of the glass tin and minimise the tin count in the glass. The success of forming hinges on consistent delivery of your selected ratio and volume flow (e.g. 95% N2 / 5% H2) and on a secure supply of high-purity gases (N2 5.0 and H2 3.0).


CARBOFLAM – Mould coating for press and blow forming processes

Our CARBOFLAM solution is a versatile process that can be applied to all types of glass. It is the most effective surface coating technique because it makes use of the material-specific release and insulating properties of pure carbon. These include an even temperature level during mechanical glass forming.

Highlights at a glance
- Higher productivity due to improved process stability and longer application time of the moulding tools
- Higher glass quality through elimination/minimisation of structural marks from the moulding tools on the glass surfaces
- New products due to improved glass distribution thanks to higher mould temperatures
- Lower maintenance costs through process optimisation
- Substantial reduction in workplace pollution compared with other applications (e. g. cracking applications)


Glass Surface Treatment - HYDROPOX® for the perfect finish

Our HYDROPOX® flame-based solution offers a number of benefits in glass surface treatment for art & tableware (e.g. wine glasses), specialty glass (e.g. display glasses, oven doors) and high-value container glass (e.g. flacons).
Our solution comprises both pre-mixed and surface-mixed burners using oxygen, hydrogen or natural gas depending on your specific requirements.
With its homogenous flame curtain, HYDROPOX ensures even heat transfer and briefly brings the glass surface to a temperature above the weakening point of the glass.

Key applications
- Increasing brilliance of the glass surface
- Eliminating seams and edges
- Healing of micro-cracks and failures

Key benefits
- Significant reduction in rejection rates
- Production of high-end glass products
- Enablement of new features – e.g. wine glasses without seams
- Very high production speeds – quality of hand-crafted glass at normal line speeds


Window Insulation and Lighting 

Rare gases and innovative mixtures in the purities and volumes you need to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your insulating and lighting applications.


Window Insulation

Industrial gases, specifically rare gases, are also an effective way of improving the insulation of windows to improve comfort and conserve energy.
Our HiQ® rare gases are widely used in double- and triple-glazed windows. With its lower thermal conductivity, argon is more effective than air at reducing heat transfer. Krypton and xenon conduct less heat than argon, making them even more effective.


Lighting

We have many years of experience serving the lighting industry, supplying rare gases and innovative mixtures to enable more energy-efficient, brighter light and automotive lamp designs.
Traditional incandescent lamps rely on protective gases such as argon and nitrogen mixtures to prevent degradation of tungsten filaments. Even though incandescent lamps are being phased out in favour of more efficient halogen and gas discharge lamps, industrial and rare gases such as neon, argon, krypton and xenon continue to play a key role in lighting products. We are also a leading provider of high-purity gases and customised mixtures for LED production.


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