PROTOTYPE DESIGN AND COSTRCTION OF A TWO-CHAMBER INTERMITTENT TANK FURNACE FOR SIMULTANEOUS DUAL STUDIO GLASS MELTING IN NIGERIA
PROTOTYPE DESIGN AND COSTRCTION OF A TWO-CHAMBER INTERMITTENT TANK FURNACE FOR SIMULTANEOUS DUAL STUDIO GLASS MELTING IN NIGERIA
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Date
2015-01-27
Authors
FWATMWOL, Alexander Bishmang
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Abstract
An intermittent two-chamber glass tank furnace with
a common flame apace has been designed and constructed for
simultaneous experimental dual melting of both flint and
coloured glass, fusing under the same atmospheric conditions.
This was precipitated by the determination to give a new
outlook with a view to solving some deficiencies identified,
acknowledged and generally experienced with the conventional
single-compartment construction of periodic tank furnaces
employed for studio glass melting in general, and that used
in Glass Technology Section of Industrial Design Department in
particular.
The constructional materials used were exclusively
imported standard refractory materials obtained from three
Nigerian glass industries, and metal materials, locally
obtained.
In the three separate experimental test melting of
pairs of glasses carried out, most associated short-comings
of the single-chamber construction were overcome. For
example, it became possible to melt both coloured and flint
glass simultaneously - an impossible and uncommon operation
with tank furnaces, both continuous and periodic; provision
of more working space for simultaneous studio glass practice
with accompanying increased productivity; and reduction in
fuel consumption. The reduced height of the two-chamber
unit and its longitudinal mode of firing ensured that the
heat generated was brought closer to the glass melts and
sufficient space provided for flame propagation. The
strategic location of the port made it multi-purpose; it
served as an inlet for fuel and combustion air, a view hole
for both chambers, and acted as an avenue for sample taking
of molten glass without materially tempering with the doors
during firing operations. Closed packing of the furnace
refractory bricks and judicious application of external
backing insulation guaranteed uniformity of temperature
distribution in both chambers; 1300°C remained the maximum
temperature attained in all the three firing operations.
Regulation of atmospheric conditions of the furnace space
was aided by an adjustable "key-brick" of the chimney. The
furnace was found economical in terms of fuel consumption and
construction materials.
The preventive measures adopted to curtail some
problems encountered in the first melting test yielded
positive result — higher quality products were produced in
the second and third melting tests.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Postgraduate School,
Ahmadu Bella University, in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the award of the
degree of Master of Arts in Industrial Design,
with specialization in Glass Technology
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY
ZARIA - NIGERIA
Keywords
PROTOTYPE,, COSTRCTION,, INTERMITTENT,, FURNACE,, SIMULTANEOUS,, GLASS MELTING