CN119430617A

CN119430617A - Induction Heating Glass Manufacturing Equipment

Info

Publication number: CN119430617A
Application number: CN202411050563.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 皮埃尔·雷内·约瑟夫·拉龙泽; Jr·尤金·雷曼
Original assignee: Corning Inc
Current assignee: Corning Inc
Priority date: 2023-08-01
Filing date: 2024-08-01
Publication date: 2025-02-14
Also published as: WO2025029417A1

Abstract

A platinum conduit is provided to form a passage for conveying molten glass from a first container to a second container, the platinum conduit. The platinum conduit may include a flange coupled thereto. The platinum conduit may include more than one flange attached thereto. The one or more flanges may contain platinum. An electromagnetic inductor is positioned outside the platinum conduit and is configured to inductively heat the platinum conduit. A refractory material may be positioned around the platinum conduit to control heat loss from the platinum conduit and to support the platinum conduit. The platinum conduit may be spaced apart from the refractory material, thereby forming a gap between the refractory material and the platinum conduit. The gap may be filled with an inert gas or a glass material.

Description

Induction heating glass manufacturing apparatus

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from U.S. c. ≡119 to U.S. provisional application serial No. 63/516903 filed on 1, month 8, 2023, the contents of which are the basis of the present application and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to glass manufacturing apparatus for forming a glass ribbon, and more particularly, to an induction heating conduit configured to convey molten glass between vessels of the manufacturing apparatus.

Background

Methods of making glass articles are well known in which a batch material is heated in a furnace, molten glass is conveyed between one or more molten glass conditioning vessels, and the molten glass is delivered to a forming body to form the glass article. Typically, such conditioning vessels, as well as the conduits extending therebetween, are made of platinum or a platinum alloy. Platinum or platinum alloys have a high melting point, making them well suited for delivering high temperature molten glass. In addition, platinum is resistant to corrosion, thereby providing the platinum vessel and conduit with the ability to resist the corrosion of molten glass. Unfortunately, platinum and other platinum group metals are expensive, making the glass manufacturing equipment expensive.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first aspect, a glass manufacturing apparatus is disclosed that includes a molybdenum conduit configured to convey molten glass, the molybdenum conduit including a conduit wall extending between a first end of the molybdenum conduit and a second end of the molybdenum conduit opposite the first end, the conduit wall defining a passageway through the molybdenum conduit between the first end and the second end, and a first flange comprising molybdenum, the first flange attached to the molybdenum conduit.

In a second aspect, the first flange of the first aspect may comprise a disc portion and a hub portion, the hub portion being positioned on the disc portion such that a longitudinal axis of the hub portion is orthogonal to a plane of the disc portion, and the first flange defining a bore extending through the first flange along the longitudinal axis.

In a third aspect, the first flange of the second aspect may be attached to the first end of the molybdenum catheter by the hub portion.

In a fourth aspect, the first end of the molybdenum catheter of the third aspect may comprise a first thread, the hub portion may comprise a second thread complementary to the first thread, and the hub portion may be attached to the first end with the first thread and the second thread.

In a fifth aspect, the first thread may be provided on an outer surface of the catheter wall and the second thread may be provided on an inner surface of the hub along the bore.

In a sixth aspect, the molybdenum catheter of the first aspect may include a groove disposed in an outer surface of the molybdenum catheter wall around a circumference of the molybdenum catheter, and a first shim plate may be disposed in the groove.

In a seventh aspect, the first shim plate of the sixth aspect may include a curved edge surface corresponding to the curvature of the groove.

In an eighth aspect, the second shim plate may be disposed in a recess as described in the sixth aspect.

In a ninth aspect, the first flange of the eighth aspect is attachable to the first shim plate and the second shim plate.

In a tenth aspect, the first flange of the first aspect is weldable to the molybdenum conduit.

In an eleventh aspect, the first refractory material may be positioned around the molybdenum conduit according to any of the first to tenth aspects.

In a twelfth aspect, the molybdenum conduit wall of the eleventh aspect may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the first refractory material such that a gap is disposed between the molybdenum conduit wall and the first refractory material.

In the thirteenth aspect, an inert gas may be provided in the gap as described in the twelfth aspect.

In a fourteenth aspect, a glass material may be disposed in the gap as described in the twelfth aspect. In a fifteenth aspect, a plurality of spacers separate the conduit wall from the first refractory material of the eleventh aspect.

In a sixteenth aspect, the second refractory material may be positioned around the first refractory material as set forth in any one of the eleventh to fifteenth aspects.

In a seventeenth aspect, the thermal conductivity of the second refractory material of the fourteenth aspect may be different from the thermal conductivity of the first refractory material. In an eighteenth aspect, the glass manufacturing apparatus of any of the first to seventeenth aspects may further comprise an electromagnetic inductor disposed around at least a portion of a circumference of the molybdenum conduit, the electromagnetic inductor configured to induce a current in the conduit wall.

In a nineteenth aspect, the electromagnetic inductor of the eighteenth aspect may be disposed helically around the molybdenum conduit.

In a twentieth aspect, the pitch of the electromagnetic inductor of the nineteenth aspect may vary according to a length along the molybdenum conduit.

In a twenty-first aspect, the glass manufacturing apparatus of any of the eighteenth to twentieth aspects may further comprise a second electromagnetic inductor disposed around at least a portion of the circumference of the molybdenum conduit, the second electromagnetic inductor being spaced apart from the first electromagnetic inductor in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the molybdenum conduit.

In a twenty-second aspect, the electromagnetic inductor of any one of the eighteenth to twentieth aspects may comprise an internal passage extending along a length of the electromagnetic inductor, the passage configured to receive a coolant flow therethrough.

In a twenty-third aspect, a glass manufacturing apparatus is disclosed that includes a first molybdenum conduit including a first conduit wall extending between a first end of the first molybdenum conduit and a second end of the first molybdenum conduit, the first molybdenum conduit including a first flange including molybdenum attached to the first end of the first molybdenum conduit, and a first electromagnetic inductor disposed about at least a portion of the first conduit wall, the first electromagnetic inductor configured to induce a first current in the first conduit wall.

In a twenty-fourth aspect, the first molybdenum conduit of the twenty-third aspect may include a second flange comprising molybdenum attached to the first molybdenum conduit intermediate the first end and the second end.

In a twenty-fifth aspect, the first electromagnetic inductor of the twenty-fourth aspect may be positioned between the first flange and the second flange.

In a twenty-sixth aspect, the glass manufacturing apparatus of the twenty-fifth aspect may further comprise a second electromagnetic inductor disposed around at least a portion of the first conduit wall between the second flange and the second end.

In a twenty-seventh aspect, the glass manufacturing apparatus of the twenty-seventh aspect may further comprise a second molybdenum conduit comprising a second conduit wall extending between a third end of the second molybdenum conduit and a fourth end of the second molybdenum conduit opposite the third end, the second molybdenum conduit comprising a second flange comprising molybdenum attached to the third end of the second molybdenum conduit, the second molybdenum conduit being disposed adjacent to the first molybdenum conduit such that a first longitudinal axis of the first molybdenum conduit is coaxial with a second longitudinal axis of the second molybdenum conduit and the second flange is spaced apart from the first flange, the second molybdenum conduit further comprising a second electromagnetic inductor disposed about at least a portion of the second conduit wall and positioned between the third end and the fourth end, the second electromagnetic inductor configured to induce a second current in the second conduit wall.

In a twenty-eighth aspect, a glass seal may be provided between the first flange and the second flange as described in the twenty-seventh aspect.

In a twenty-ninth aspect, the pitch of the first electromagnetic inductor of the twenty-third aspect may vary according to the length along the first molybdenum conduit.

The foregoing general description of embodiments of the invention and the following detailed description are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the embodiments disclosed herein. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, explain the principles and operation of the disclosure.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a molybdenum catheter according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the molybdenum catheter of FIG. 2, including a flange attached to an end thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the molybdenum catheter of FIG. 2, including flanges attached to both ends thereof;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the molybdenum conduit of FIG. 4, including another flange attached to the molybdenum conduit intermediate the ends of the molybdenum conduit;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of a flange configured to be attached to an end of the molybdenum conduit of FIG. 2 using a slip joint (e.g., an interference fit);

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a flange configured to be attached to an end of the molybdenum conduit of fig. 2 using a threaded joint;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the molybdenum catheter of FIG. 2, including a circumferential groove in an outer surface of a catheter wall of the molybdenum catheter;

fig. 9 is a close-up view of the attachment of a flange configured to be attached by a shim plate in or adjacent to the groove of fig. 8 at an intermediate location along the length of the molybdenum conduit;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the flange of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of a molybdenum conduit including a first flange (A-flange) attached to an end thereof and a second flange attached intermediate the ends of the conduit by the shim plate of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a molybdenum conduit including a flange (e.g., a C-flange) welded to the molybdenum conduit;

FIG. 13 is an axial cross-sectional view of a molybdenum conduit including a first refractory material disposed about the molybdenum conduit and a second refractory material disposed about the first refractory material;

FIG. 14 is an axial cross-sectional view of a molybdenum conduit including a first refractory material disposed about the molybdenum conduit, a second refractory material disposed about the first refractory material, and an electromagnetic inductor disposed about the molybdenum conduit;

Fig. 15 is a side view of the molybdenum catheter of fig. 3 including an electromagnetic inductor in the shape of a coil disposed about the molybdenum catheter;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of induction heating a molybdenum catheter using two separate circuits at the top and bottom of the catheter instead of a continuous coil around the tube;

FIG. 17 is a side view of a molybdenum conduit including a plurality of electromagnetic sensors disposed around or adjacent to the molybdenum conduit;

Fig. 18 is a side view of two molybdenum conduits arranged end-to-end, each molybdenum conduit including a plurality of electromagnetic inductors;

FIG. 19 is a close-up side view of the end-to-end portion of FIG. 18 including a glass seal between adjacent flanges of two molybdenum tubes, and

Fig. 20 is a side view of a molybdenum conduit extending between a first molten glass conditioning vessel and a second molten glass conditioning vessel, the molybdenum conduit including a plurality of flanges and a plurality of electromagnetic inductors, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

As used herein, the term "about" means that the amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other amounts and characteristics are not, and need not be, exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art.

Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value, and/or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

Directional terms as used herein (e.g., up, down, right, left, front, rear, top, bottom) are merely with reference to the drawing figures drawn and are not intended to imply absolute orientation.

No particular order or orientation of the components of the apparatus is intended to be inferred in any respect unless explicitly stated otherwise. This applies to any possible non-expressed basis for interpretation, including logical questions about the order of the components, orientation of the components, explicit meanings obtained from grammatical organization or punctuation, and the number or types of embodiments described in this specification.

As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a component" includes aspects having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

The words "exemplary," "example," or various forms thereof are used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" or "example" should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Moreover, the examples are provided for clarity and understanding only, and are not intended to limit or restrict the disclosed subject matter or relevant portions of the present disclosure in any way. It should be appreciated that numerous additional or alternative examples of different scope may be presented, but have been omitted for the sake of brevity.

As used herein, the terms "comprising" and "including" and variations thereof are to be interpreted as synonymous and open ended, unless otherwise indicated. The list of elements following the transitional phrase "comprising" or "including" is a non-exclusive list such that other elements may be present in addition to those specifically listed in the list.

The terms "substantially," "substantially," and variations thereof as used herein are intended to indicate that the feature being described is equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to mean a planar or near-planar surface. Furthermore, "substantially" is intended to mean that the two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" may mean values within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

An exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. 1. The glass manufacturing apparatus 10 may include a glass melting furnace 12 including a melting vessel 14. In addition to the melting vessel 14, the glass melting furnace 12 may optionally include one or more additional components, such as heating elements (e.g., burners and/or electrodes) configured to heat and convert raw materials into molten materials (hereinafter referred to as molten glass). For example, the melting vessel 14 may be an electrically enhanced melting vessel wherein energy is added to the raw material by both a burner and by direct heating, wherein an electric current is passed through the raw material such that the electric current adds energy by joule heating of the raw material.

In further embodiments, glass melting furnace 12 may include other thermal management devices (e.g., insulating components) that reduce heat loss from the melting vessel. In still further embodiments, glass melting furnace 12 may include electronic and/or electromechanical devices that facilitate melting of the raw materials into a glass melt. The glass melting furnace 12 may include a support structure (e.g., a support chassis, support members, etc.) or other components.

The melting vessel 14 may be formed of a refractory material such as a refractory ceramic material, for example, a refractory ceramic material including alumina or zirconia, but the refractory ceramic material may include other refractory materials such as yttrium (e.g., yttria-stabilized zirconia, yttria phosphate), zircon (ZrSiO 4) or alumina-zirconia-silica or even chromia, alternatively or in any combination. In some examples, melting vessel 14 may be constructed of refractory ceramic tiles.

In some embodiments, glass melting furnace 12 may be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing apparatus configured to manufacture glass articles (e.g., glass ribbon), but in further embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus may be configured to form other glass articles such as, but not limited to, glass rods, glass tubes, glass envelopes (e.g., glass envelopes for lighting devices such as light bulbs), and glass lenses, although many other glass articles are contemplated. In some examples, the furnace may be included in a glass manufacturing apparatus including a float bath apparatus, a downdraw apparatus (e.g., fusion downdraw apparatus or slot draw apparatus), a updraw apparatus, a press apparatus, a rolling apparatus, a tube drawing apparatus, or any other glass manufacturing apparatus that would benefit from the present disclosure. For example, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a glass melting furnace 12 as part of a fusion downdraw glass manufacturing apparatus 10 for fusion drawing a glass ribbon for subsequent processing into individual glass sheets or winding of the glass ribbon onto a spool.

Glass manufacturing apparatus 10 may optionally include an upstream glass manufacturing apparatus 16 positioned upstream of melting vessel 14. In some examples, a portion or all of the upstream glass manufacturing apparatus 16 may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the upstream glass manufacturing apparatus 16 may include a raw material storage bin 18, a raw material delivery device 20, and a motor 22 connected to the raw material delivery device 20. The raw material storage bin 18 may be configured to store a quantity of raw material 24 that may be fed into the melting vessel 14 of the glass melting furnace 12 through one or more feed ports, as indicated by arrow 26. The raw material 24 generally includes one or more glass-forming metal oxides and one or more modifiers. In some examples, the raw material delivery device 20 may be powered by a motor 22 to deliver a predetermined amount of raw material 24 from the raw material storage bin 18 to the melting vessel 14. In a further example, the motor 22 may power the raw material delivery device 20 to introduce the raw material 24 at a controlled rate based on a level of molten glass sensed downstream of the melting vessel 14 relative to a flow direction of the molten glass. Thereafter, the raw material 24 within the melting vessel 14 may be heated to form molten glass 28. Typically, during the initial melting step, the raw materials are added to the melting vessel in particulate form (e.g., various "sand" and/or powders). Raw material 24 may also include waste glass (e.g., cullet) from previous melting and/or forming operations. A burner is typically used to start the melting process. In an electrically enhanced melting process, once the resistance of the raw material is sufficiently low, electrical enhancement may be initiated by creating an electrical potential between electrodes positioned in contact with the raw material, thereby establishing an electrical current through the raw material, which is typically brought into or in a molten state.

Glass manufacturing apparatus 10 may also optionally include a downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 positioned downstream of glass melting furnace 12 with respect to the flow direction of molten glass 28. In some examples, a portion of downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may be incorporated as part of glass melting furnace 12. For example, in some cases, the first connecting conduit 32 or other portions of the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 discussed below may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12.

The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may include a first conditioning (i.e., processing) chamber, such as a fining vessel 34, located downstream of the melting vessel 14 and connected to the melting vessel 14 by the first connecting conduit 32 mentioned above. Molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from melting vessel 14 to fining vessel 34 through an internal passageway of first connecting conduit 32. Thus, first connecting conduit 32 provides a flow path for molten glass 28 from melting vessel 14 to fining vessel 34. However, other conditioning chambers may be positioned downstream of melting vessel 14, such as between melting vessel 14 and fining vessel 34. In some embodiments, a conditioning chamber may be employed between the melting vessel and the fining chamber. For example, molten glass from the primary melting vessel may be further heated in a secondary melting (conditioning) vessel positioned between melting vessel 14 and fining vessel 34, or cooled in a secondary melting vessel to a temperature below the temperature of the molten glass in the primary melting vessel and then into the fining vessel.

Bubbles may be removed from molten glass 28 by a variety of techniques. For example, the raw material 24 may include a multivalent compound (i.e., a fining agent), such as tin oxide, that undergoes a chemical reduction reaction and releases oxygen when heated. Other suitable fining agents may include, but are not limited to, arsenic, antimony, iron, cerium, and various sulfates, but in some applications the use of arsenic and antimony may be discouraged for environmental reasons. Fining vessel 34 may be heated, for example, to a temperature above the melting vessel temperature, thereby heating the fining agent. Oxygen generated by temperature-induced chemical reduction of one or more fining agents included in the molten glass diffuses into the bubbles generated during the melting process. The bubbles that expand due to the increased buoyancy may then rise to the free surface of the molten glass within the fining vessel before being discharged from the fining vessel.

Downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may also include another conditioning chamber, such as a mixing apparatus 36, e.g., a stirring vessel, for mixing molten glass flowing downstream from fining vessel 34. Mixing apparatus 36 may be used to provide a homogeneous glass melt composition to reduce chemical or thermal inhomogeneities that may otherwise be present in the molten glass exiting the fining chamber. As shown, the fining vessel 34 may be coupled to the mixing apparatus 36 by a second connecting conduit 38. In some embodiments, molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from fining vessel 34 to mixing apparatus 36 through an internal passageway of second connecting conduit 38. The molten glass within the mixing apparatus 36 may include a free surface, wherein the free volume extends between the free surface and the top of the mixing device. As used herein, free volume is a volume of gas, typically free of liquid material. Similarly, a free surface refers to the surface of the molten glass within a vessel or conduit and represents the interface between a liquid (e.g., molten glass) and the gaseous atmosphere above the molten glass. Although mixing apparatus 36 is shown downstream of fining vessel 34 with respect to the flow direction of the molten glass, in other embodiments mixing apparatus 36 may be positioned upstream of fining vessel 34. In some embodiments, downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may include a plurality of mixing apparatuses, such as a mixing apparatus upstream of fining vessel 34 and a mixing apparatus downstream of fining vessel 34. These mixing devices may have the same design or they may have designs that are different from each other. One or more of the vessels and/or conduits may include static mixing blades positioned therein to facilitate mixing and subsequent homogenization of the molten material.

Downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may also include another conditioning chamber, such as a delivery vessel 40, downstream of mixing apparatus 36. Delivery vessel 40 may condition molten glass 28 to be fed to a downstream forming device. For example, the delivery vessel 40 may act as an accumulator and/or flow controller to condition the molten glass 28 and provide a coherent flow of molten glass to the forming body 42 through the outlet conduit 44. In some embodiments, the molten glass within the delivery vessel 40 may include a free surface, wherein the free volume extends upward from the free surface to the top of the delivery chamber. As shown, the mixing apparatus 36 may be connected to the delivery container 40 by a third connecting conduit 46. In some examples, molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from mixing apparatus 36 to delivery vessel 40 through an internal passageway of third connecting conduit 46.

The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may also include a forming apparatus 48 that includes the forming body 42 mentioned above, including an inlet conduit 50. The outlet conduit 44 may be positioned to deliver the molten glass 28 from the delivery vessel 40 to an inlet conduit 50 of the forming apparatus 48.

The components of downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 (including any one or more of connecting conduits 32, 38, 46, fining vessel 34, mixing apparatus 36, delivery vessel 40, outlet conduit 44, or inlet conduit 50) may be formed of a noble metal. Suitable noble metals include platinum group metals selected from the group consisting of platinum, iridium, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium, and palladium, or alloys thereof. For example, downstream components of the glass manufacturing apparatus may be formed from platinum-rhodium alloys. Comprising about 70 wt.% to about 90 wt.% platinum and about 10 wt.% to about 30 wt.% rhodium. In some embodiments, such components may be formed from greater than about 90% by weight of platinum, such as greater than 92% by weight of platinum, greater than 94% by weight of platinum, greater than 96% by weight of platinum, greater than 98% by weight of platinum, and even up to 100% by weight of platinum. However, other suitable metals for forming downstream components of the glass manufacturing apparatus may include molybdenum, rhenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, and alloys thereof.

The forming body 42 in a fusion downdraw glass manufacturing apparatus may include a trough 52 positioned in an upper surface of the forming body, and a converging forming surface 54 (only one surface shown) that converges in the draw direction along a bottom edge (root) 56 of the forming body. Molten glass delivered to forming body trough 52 via delivery vessel 40, outlet conduit 44 and inlet conduit 50 overflows the walls of trough 52 and descends as a separate molten glass stream along converging forming surfaces 54. The individual streams of molten glass merge along and below the root 56 to produce a single molten glass ribbon 58 that is drawn from the root 56 along a draw plane in a draw direction 60 by applying downward tension to the ribbon, such as by gravity and/or a pull roll assembly (not shown), to control the size of the ribbon as the molten glass cools and the viscosity of the molten glass increases. Accordingly, the glass ribbon 58 undergoes a viscoelastic transition to an elastic state and mechanical properties are obtained that impart stable dimensional characteristics to the glass ribbon 58. The glass ribbon 58 includes a first outer edge 62a and a second outer edge 62b opposite the first outer edge 62a, the first and second outer edges extending longitudinally along the glass ribbon 58. The glass ribbon 58 may also include first and second thickened edge portions 64a, 64b (hereinafter first and second beads 64a, 64b, respectively), the beads 64a, 64b extending inwardly from the respective first and second outer edges 62a, 62 b. The glass ribbon 58 includes a width W defined between a first outer edge 62a and a second outer edge 62 b. The thickness of the first bead 64a and the second bead 64b may be greater than the thickness of the glass ribbon along its longitudinal centerline. The glass ribbon extending between the first bead 64a and the second bead 64b may be referred to as a "quality" region 66 of the glass ribbon. The quality area 66 exhibits a substantially uniform thickness and an original or substantially original surface and is the most commercially valuable part of the belt, as the bead is typically removed and used as cullet or scrap. In some embodiments, the glass ribbon 58 may be separated into individual glass sheets 68 by a glass separation apparatus 100, but in further embodiments, the glass ribbon 58 may be wound onto reels and stored for further processing.

As noted above, other suitable metals for forming downstream components of the glass manufacturing apparatus may include molybdenum, rhenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, and alloys thereof. More specifically, in the embodiments described herein, any of the first connecting conduit 32, the second connecting conduit 38, or the third connecting conduit 46 may be formed from a material comprising molybdenum. The catheter may comprise other materials. For example, the molybdenum may be an alloy of molybdenum, such as Titanium Zirconium Molybdenum (TZM) or Molybdenum Lanthanum (ML). In some embodiments, the catheter may include an oxidation protective coating disposed on at least a portion of its surface (such as at least a portion of the outer surface, at least a portion of the inner surface, or at least a portion of both the inner and outer surfaces). In some embodiments, the oxidation protective coating may be deposited over the entire surface of the catheter, such as over the entire outer surface of the catheter, the entire inner surface of the catheter, or both the entire outer surface and the entire inner surface of the catheter. Suitable oxidation protective coatings may include silicon-boron-carbon (Si-BC) based materials, such as those available from PLANSEE AG of Austrian Luo YiteThe conduit formed from a molybdenum-containing material and inductively heated is described in more detail below.

Fig. 2 shows a conduit 200 formed of or including molybdenum (an alloy including molybdenum). Thus, the molybdenum conduit may include substantially all molybdenum (except trace amounts of other materials, e.g., less than about 1% by weight), or less than substantially all molybdenum. Thus, a conduit formed of or containing molybdenum is hereinafter referred to as a "molybdenum conduit". The molybdenum conduit 200 includes a conduit wall 202 extending from a first end 204 of the molybdenum conduit to a second end 206 of the molybdenum conduit opposite the first end. The molybdenum conduit 200 may also include a flange 208, such as a first flange, attached thereto. Referring to fig. 3, in some aspects, a flange 208 may be attached to the first end 204 or the second end 206 of the molybdenum conduit 200. In some embodiments, the molybdenum catheter 200 may include a plurality of flanges 208 attached thereto. For example, as shown in fig. 4, the molybdenum conduit 200 may include a first flange 208a connected to the first end 204 and a second flange 208b connected to the second end 206. In some embodiments, the molybdenum conduit 200 may include a flange 208 attached to the molybdenum conduit intermediate the first end 204 and the second end 206. For example, fig. 5 illustrates a molybdenum conduit 200 including two end flanges 208 (e.g., 208a and 208 b) and a third flange 208c intermediate the first end 204 and the second end 206. That is, the flange 208c may be positioned at a location along the length of the conduit between the first end 204 and the second end 206. Thus, the molybdenum conduit 200 may include a plurality of flanges attached thereto along the length of the conduit at one or both ends of the molybdenum conduit and/or intermediate the first end 204 and the second end 206. Flange 208 is a mechanical flange because the flange is not intended nor used to direct current to the molybdenum conduit. Rather, the flange 208 may be used to mate sections of the molybdenum conduit, to mate the molybdenum conduit to a vessel, or to mechanically support the molybdenum conduit.

Referring to fig. 3-7, in an embodiment, a flange 208 (hereinafter referred to as an a-flange 208) configured to be attached to an end of the molybdenum conduit 200 may include a disk portion 210, wherein the disk portion 210 is substantially planar and circular. The a-flange 208 may also include a hub portion 212. Hub portion 212 may be centrally located on disk portion 210. That is, the hub portion 212 may be positioned relative to the disc portion 210 such that a longitudinal axis 214 of the hub portion 212 is coaxial with an axis 216 extending through the center of the disc portion 210. In an embodiment, the hub portion 212 may be cylindrical. Hub portion 212 includes a bore 218 extending therethrough

In some embodiments, the a-flange 208 may be a slip fit (e.g., an interference fit) onto the end of the molybdenum catheter 200. Thus, the aperture 218 may be a smooth-walled aperture as shown in FIG. 6. In other embodiments, the a-flange 208 may be threaded onto the end of the molybdenum conduit 200. For example, as shown in fig. 7, in some embodiments, the bore 218 may include threads formed on an inner surface 220 of the hub portion 212 (defining the inner surface of the bore 220). That is, the hole 218 may be a threaded hole. The thread profile may be any suitable thread profile, such as, for example, a trapezoidal thread profile (e.g., acme), a V-shaped thread profile, or a square thread profile. Similarly, one or both ends 204, 206 of the molybdenum catheter 200 may be threaded. In various embodiments, the outer surface of the conduit wall 202 may be threaded at the end of the molybdenum conduit 200, and the threads of the molybdenum conduit 200 may be complementary to the threads of the bore 218. That is, the threads of the molybdenum conduit 200 are configured to engage the threads of the bore 218. Thus, in some embodiments, the hub portion 212 may be threadably connected to the end of the molybdenum catheter 200. Although not shown, in other embodiments, the outer surface of the hub portion 212 may include threads and the inner surface of the conduit wall 202 may include threads such that the hub portion 212 may be threaded into the end of the molybdenum conduit 200.

In some embodiments, the molybdenum conduit 200 may include a flange 208 configured to attach thereto intermediate the first end 204 and the second end 206, hereinafter referred to as a B-flange 208. For example, as shown in fig. 8 and 9, the molybdenum catheter 200 may include a groove 222 formed into the outer surface of the catheter wall 202, e.g., around the circumference of the catheter wall 202. The first shim plate 230 may be fitted into the recess 222. The first shim plate 230 may be annular, for example, but includes at least a curved inner edge surface 232 shaped to be received in the recess 222. For example, the radius of curvature of the inner edge surface 232 of the first shim plate 230 may be equal to or substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the groove 222. The first shim plate 230 may also include a plurality of holes 234 extending through the thickness of the shim plate. In an embodiment, a second shim plate 236 (see fig. 11) may be fitted into groove 222, e.g., opposite first shim plate 230. Second shim plate 236 may be identical or substantially identical to first shim plate 230. Second shim plate 236 may be a mirror image of first shim plate 230. The radius of curvature of the inner edge surface of the second shim plate may be equal to the radius of curvature of the inner edge surface 232 of the first shim plate 230. In an embodiment, the first and second tie plates 230, 236 may completely encircle the molybdenum conduit 200. Like first shim plate 230, second shim plate 236 may include a plurality of holes 234 extending through a thickness of the second shim plate.

In the latter arrangement, and like the A-flange 208, the B-flange 208 includes a disk portion 210, but in embodiments may not include a hub portion. The disc portion 210 includes an aperture 240 sized to receive the molybdenum conduit 200. That is, the inner diameter D1 of the aperture 240 may be greater (e.g., slightly greater) than the outer diameter D2 of the molybdenum conduit 200 (see fig. 10) such that the disc portion 210 may fit over the molybdenum conduit 200 and be positioned on the molybdenum conduit 200 at an intermediate location adjacent the first and second shims 230, 236. Thus, the disk portion 210 of the B-flange may be configured to receive the molybdenum conduit 200 through the aperture 240. As shown in fig. 10-11, the disc portion 210 may include holes 242 extending through the thickness of the disc portion 210 and arranged to align with the holes 234 in the first and second tie plates 230, 236. Thus, the disc portion 210 may be slid over the end of the molybdenum conduit 200 such that the molybdenum conduit 200 extends through the aperture 240, with the disc portion 210 positioned adjacent the first and second shim plates 230, 236. With disc portion 210 positioned intermediate first end 204 and second end 206 and abutting first and second backing plates 230, 236 and with apertures 234 aligned with apertures 242, fasteners 244 (e.g., bolts, rivets, pins) may be inserted into the aligned apertures and secured (see fig. 9). If bolts are used, nuts 246 and optionally washers 248 may be engaged with the bolts and tightened to secure disk portion 210 to backing plates 230, 236. The B-flange 208 is secured to the molybdenum conduit 200 with the disc portion 210 secured to the pads 230, 236 and the pads 230, 236 engaged in the groove 222.

In still other embodiments, the flange 208 may be attached to the molybdenum conduit 200 by welding. For example, the molybdenum conduit 200 may include another flange type, hereinafter referred to as a C-flange 208, that includes a disk portion 210 that includes an aperture 240 sized to accommodate the diameter of the molybdenum conduit 200. The molybdenum conduit 200 may be inserted into the aperture 240, with the C-flange 208 positioned at a desired location on the molybdenum conduit, and then welded to the molybdenum conduit 200, such as at an end of the molybdenum conduit. Fig. 12 is a side view of molybdenum catheter 200, showing its end including C-flange 208 and weld bead 250. Thus, the C-shaped flange 208 may be attached at any location along the length of the molybdenum conduit 200, including at and/or intermediate the ends thereof.

Turning to fig. 13, the molybdenum conduit 200 may be positioned within a refractory material (e.g., a first refractory material, such as a ceramic refractory material). For example, the function of the refractory material may be to mechanically support the molybdenum conduit. Another function of the refractory material may be to reduce or control heat loss from the molybdenum conduit 200. For example, in some cases, the molybdenum conduit 200 may be positioned within the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 to facilitate cooling of the molten glass within the molybdenum conduit. Accordingly, the thermal conductivity of the refractory material may be selected to facilitate cooling (e.g., high thermal conductivity, in other cases, the molybdenum conduit may be positioned within the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus such that the temperature (e.g., viscosity) of the molten glass therein is maintained.

In an embodiment, the molybdenum conduit 200 may be separated from the first refractory material 300 by a gap 302 that extends at least partially around the molybdenum conduit. For example, the first refractory material 300 can include an aperture 304 extending along a length of the first refractory material in which the molybdenum conduit 200 is positioned. Thus, the inner diameter of the bore 304 is greater than the outer diameter of the molybdenum catheter 200. The molybdenum conduit 200 may be supported within the bore 304 by a plurality of spacers 306 that maintain the outer surface of the molybdenum conduit 200 spaced apart from the first refractory material 300. The spacer 306 may be metal (e.g., platinum, molybdenum), or the spacer 306 may be formed of a refractory material (e.g., a ceramic material). In an embodiment, the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 may be configured to provide a cooling fluid to the gap 302. That is, in some embodiments, the cooling fluid may flow through the gap 302 between the molybdenum conduit 200 and the first refractory material 300. Molybdenum does not react significantly with oxygen or water at room temperature. However, weak oxidation of molybdenum may begin above about 300 ℃, and bulk oxidation may begin at temperatures above about 600 ℃. Thus, the cooling fluid may include, for example, a low oxygen gas, such as an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen, helium, argon, etc.). The cooling fluid may contain less than about 1% by volume oxygen, such as equal to or less than about 0.75% by volume, equal to or less than about 0.50% by volume, equal to or less than about 0.25% by volume oxygen.

In some embodiments, gap 302 may include a glass material disposed therein. For example, the gap 302 may be filled with cullet and/or frit (i.e., powdered glass). The cullet and/or frit may be selected such that the cullet and/or frit melts and surrounds the molybdenum tube 200 during operation of the glass manufacturing apparatus, thereby replacing the atmosphere surrounding the molybdenum tube and reducing or preventing oxidation of the molybdenum tube.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 13, the second refractory material 310 can be positioned around the first refractory material 300. The thermal conductivity of the second refractory material 310 may be different from the thermal conductivity of the first refractory material 300. The thermal conductivity of the second refractory material 310 can be selected to be equal to, less than, or greater than the thermal conductivity of the first refractory material 300, depending on the location of the molybdenum conduit 200 within the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus and the desired insulating properties of the refractory material.

In aspects disclosed herein, the molybdenum catheter 200 may be heated by electromagnetic induction. Thus, the electrical conductor 312 (hereinafter electromagnetic inductor 312, e.g., copper electromagnetic inductor) may be positioned around at least a portion of the circumference of the molybdenum catheter 200. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in fig. 14-15, the electromagnetic inductor 312 may be in the form of a coil, e.g., a helically wound conductive coil, with the molybdenum catheter 200 extending within the coil, e.g., along a longitudinal axis thereof. Electromagnetic inductor 312 is supplied with Alternating Current (AC) from a suitable power source 314. The expanding and contracting electromagnetic fields generated by the alternating current in electromagnetic inductor 312 induce eddy currents in molybdenum conduit 200. The eddy currents in the molybdenum catheter 200 heat the molybdenum catheter 200 by joule heating. The frequency of the alternating current selected for induction heating of the molybdenum catheter will depend on the catheter size, the type of material, the electromagnetic coupling (between the electrical conductor and the molybdenum catheter), and the desired penetration depth, but may be in the range of about 1kHz to about 100kHz, such as in the range of about 1kHz to about 90kHz, about 1kHz to about 80kHz, about 1kHz to about 70kHz, about 1kHz to about 60kHz, about 1kHz to about 50kHz, about 1kHz to about 40kHz, about 1kHz to about 30kHz, about 1kHz to about 20kHz, about 1kHz to about 10kHz, about 10kHz to about 100kHz, about 20kHz to about 100kHz, about 30kHz to about 100kHz, about 40kHz to about 100kHz, about 50kHz to about 100kHz, about 60kHz to about 100kHz, about 70kHz to about 100kHz, about 80kHz to about 100kHz, or about 90 to about 100kHz, including all ranges and subranges therebetween.

Referring to fig. 16, in some embodiments, the electromagnetic inductor 312 may not extend around the entire circumference of the molybdenum conduit 200 such that a portion of the molybdenum conduit may be inductively heated while another portion of the molybdenum conduit is not inductively heated. For example, in some embodiments, a first portion of the circumference of the conduit wall 202 may be inductively heated, while a second portion of the circumference of the conduit wall 202 (e.g., opposite the first portion) may not be inductively heated, or may be inductively heated (to a different amount, e.g., temperature) in a different manner by supplying a different current. For example, the top electromagnetic inductor may be a separate circuit from the bottom electromagnetic inductor. Thus, in some embodiments, an upper portion of the molybdenum conduit may not be heated and a lower portion of the molybdenum conduit may be heated. In other embodiments, the upper portion of the molybdenum conduit may be heated and the lower portion of the molybdenum conduit may not be heated. In still other embodiments, the top portion of the molybdenum conduit may be heated to a different temperature than the bottom portion of the molybdenum conduit opposite the top portion. For example, the top portion of the molybdenum conduit may be heated to a lower temperature than the bottom portion of the molybdenum conduit. For example, such a heating scheme may be used if the top portion of the interior of the molybdenum conduit does not contain molten glass (such as may occur if the molybdenum conduit is arranged as a fining vessel).

In an embodiment, the electromagnetic inductor 312 may be positioned outside of the first refractory material 300, for example, between the first refractory material and the second refractory material 310. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic inductor 312 may be positioned outside of the second refractory material 310. In still other embodiments, the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus may include a plurality of refractory material layers positioned around the molybdenum conduit 200, and wherein the electromagnetic inductor 312 may be positioned between any adjacent refractory material layers. For example, electromagnetic inductor 312 may be embedded in one or both of the adjacent refractory layers, such as cast therein. In further embodiments, passages may be formed in one or both adjacent refractory layers to accommodate electromagnetic inductor 312.

To prevent overheating of electromagnetic inductor 312, electromagnetic inductor 312 may be configured for fluid cooling. For example, in some embodiments, electromagnetic inductor 312 may include a hollow tube, such as a hollow copper tube, wherein the hollow tube is in fluid communication with a cooling fluid source. The cooling fluid may then flow through the hollow tube, thereby cooling the hollow tube. The cooling fluid may be a gas (e.g., air or an inert gas such as helium) or the cooling fluid may be a liquid, e.g., water.

In some embodiments, more than one electromagnetic inductor 312 may be employed. For example, as shown in fig. 17, in some embodiments, two or more electromagnetic inductors 312 may be used. Each electromagnetic inductor 312 of the plurality of electromagnetic inductors 312 may be arranged along the length of the molybdenum conduit 200 to form a plurality of heating zones in the molybdenum conduit. In some embodiments, each electromagnetic inductor 312 of the plurality of electromagnetic inductors 312 may be individually and independently controlled. For example, each electromagnetic inductor 312 may be powered by a separate circuit. Thus, a first portion 400 of the molybdenum conduit 200 along the length of the molybdenum conduit may be inductively heated by the first electromagnetic inductor 312, the first electromagnetic inductor maintaining the temperature of the first portion of the molybdenum conduit at a first temperature, a second portion 402 of the molybdenum conduit may be inductively heated by the second electromagnetic inductor 312 to maintain the second portion of the molybdenum conduit at a second temperature different than the first temperature, and a third portion 404 of the molybdenum conduit 200 may be inductively heated by the third electromagnetic inductor 312 to maintain the third portion of the molybdenum conduit at a third temperature. A plurality of electromagnetic inductors 312 may be arranged along the length of the molybdenum conduit 200 such that one electromagnetic inductor 312 (e.g., one electromagnetic inductor coil) may be adjacent to or longitudinally spaced apart from another electrical conductor (e.g., a second electromagnetic inductor coil). The number and spacing of electromagnetic sensors 312 will depend on the particular glass manufacturing equipment design, the type of glass being processed, and other individual processing parameters.

In some implementations, the electromagnetic inductor 312 may be configured to provide more induction heating to one portion of the molybdenum conduit than to another portion of the molybdenum conduit. For example, the pitch of portions of a single electromagnetic inductor 312 (e.g., the pitch of portions or complete coils (windings) of electromagnetic inductor 312) may vary along the length of the electromagnetic inductor relative to molybdenum catheter 200. By way of illustration and not limitation, the electromagnetic inductor 312 may be configured as a coil comprising a plurality of turns around a molybdenum conduit that extends through an open center region of the coil. Thus, the coil extends longitudinally along at least a portion of the length of the molybdenum catheter. The spacing between each coil may be varied to vary the amount of heating of the molybdenum conduit depending on the length of the coil relative to the molybdenum conduit. For example, as shown in fig. 15, in some embodiments, the pitch P1 (i.e., the distance from one turn to another) within the middle portion of the coil (e.g., the middle portion of the coil) may be greater than the pitch P2 of the coil at the ends of the coil. However, the pitch may be varied in any desired manner to obtain a desired longitudinal temperature profile of the molybdenum catheter, and is not limited by this example. Thus, in some embodiments, the pitch of the coil may be greater at one or both ends of the coil than at an intermediate position between the two ends of the coil.

In some embodiments, the molybdenum conduit 200 may include a plurality of molybdenum conduits 200 such that a first molybdenum conduit 200a is in fluid communication with a second molybdenum conduit 200b, as seen in fig. 18 and 19. In such cases, the first molybdenum conduit may not be in direct contact with the second molybdenum conduit. For example, in an embodiment, the first molybdenum conduit may include a first end flange 208 (e.g., an a-flange 208) as previously described, while the second molybdenum conduit includes a second a-flange. The first molybdenum conduit 200a and the second molybdenum conduit 200b may be arranged such that the disk portion of each flange 208 is adjacent to but spaced apart from the disk portion of an adjacent flange. The spacing allows for thermal expansion of the molybdenum conduit when heated. As the molten glass flows through the heated molybdenum conduit, a quantity of molten glass flows between adjacent end flanges, but cools when exposed to the external (ambient) environment. The cooled glass forms a glass seal 410 between the first flange and the second flange, bonding the first flange to the second flange and securing the first molybdenum conduit 200a to the second molybdenum conduit 200b. The glass seal 410 prevents further leakage of molten glass between the first flange and the second flange.

The molybdenum conduit 200 may be positioned to extend between the first container and the second container. For example, as shown in fig. 20, in some embodiments, the molybdenum conduit 200 may extend between a first conditioning vessel 500 and a second conditioning vessel 502. In some embodiments, first conditioning vessel 500 may include melting vessel 14 and second conditioning vessel 502 may include fining vessel 34. The first conditioning vessel 500 may be a fining vessel, such as fining vessel 34. The second conditioning vessel 502 may include a mixing device 36, such as a stirring vessel. In some embodiments, the first molten glass conditioning vessel 500 may include the mixing apparatus 36, and the second conditioning vessel 502 may be the delivery vessel 40. In still other embodiments, the molybdenum conduit 200 may include a fining vessel 34. For example, the molybdenum conduit 200 may be arranged and configured as a fining vessel. Thus, in such a configuration, the molybdenum conduit 200 may be arranged with a plurality of electromagnetic inductors 312 and a plurality of heating zones associated with the plurality of electromagnetic inductors. The conditioning vessel 500 and 502 may include a truncated tube 504 extending therefrom that is connected to the molybdenum tube 200 by a flange 506. The truncated catheter 504 may be a molybdenum catheter or may comprise a different material, such as platinum. The truncated catheter 504 may comprise a short length of catheter extending from the melting vessel 14 or from another vessel (e.g., a vessel comprising platinum), with the truncated catheter attached to the vessel (such as welded to the vessel) to provide an attachment point to the other catheter. Flange 506 may comprise molybdenum or another metal, such as platinum. Thus, flange 506 may be configured as mechanical flange 208, or another flange, such as an electrical flange configured to supply current to truncated catheter 504.

In an embodiment, the molybdenum conduit 200 extending between the first conditioning vessel 500 and the second conditioning vessel 502 may include a plurality of molybdenum conduits 200, such as a first molybdenum conduit 200a and a second molybdenum conduit 200b. The molybdenum conduit 200 may include a flange 208 (i.e., an a-flange) configured to attach to an end of the conduit and/or one or more B-flanges 208 configured to attach intermediate the ends of the molybdenum conduit 200. The molybdenum conduit 200 may be the first connecting conduit 32, the second connecting conduit 46, the third connecting conduit 46, or any other conduit included in the glass manufacturing apparatus. In some embodiments, molybdenum conduit 200 may be a fining vessel, such as fining vessel 34.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A glass manufacturing device, comprising:

A molybdenum conduit configured to transport molten glass, the molybdenum conduit comprising a conduit wall extending between a first end of the molybdenum conduit and a second end of the molybdenum conduit opposite the first end, the conduit wall defining a passage through the molybdenum conduit between the first end and the second end; and a first flange, the first flange comprising molybdenum, the first flange being attached to the molybdenum conduit.

2. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first flange comprises a disk portion and a hub portion, the hub portion being positioned on the disk portion such that a longitudinal axis of the hub portion is orthogonal to a plane of the disk portion, and the first flange defines a hole extending through the first flange along the longitudinal axis.

3. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first flange is attached to the first end of the molybdenum conduit via the hub portion.

4. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the molybdenum conduit comprises a first thread, the hub portion comprises a second thread complementary to the first thread, and the hub portion is attached to the first end portion using the first thread and the second thread.

5. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first threads are disposed on an outer surface of the conduit wall and the second threads are disposed on an inner surface of the hub along the bore.

6. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the molybdenum conduit comprises a groove disposed in the outer surface of the molybdenum conduit wall around the circumference of the molybdenum conduit, and a first pad is disposed in the groove.

7. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first pad includes a curved edge surface corresponding to the curvature of the groove.

8. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a second pad, the second pad being disposed in the groove.

9. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first flange is attached to the first backing plate and the second backing plate.

10. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first flange is welded to the molybdenum conduit.

11. The glass manufacturing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a first refractory material is positioned around the molybdenum conduit.

12. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the molybdenum conduit wall is spaced apart from an inner surface of the first refractory material such that a gap is disposed between the molybdenum conduit wall and the first refractory material.

13. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 12, wherein an inert gas is disposed in the gap.

14. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 12, wherein a glass material is disposed in the gap.

15. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a plurality of spacers separating the conduit wall from the first refractory material.

16. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a second refractory material positioned around the first refractory material.

17. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the thermal conductivity of the second refractory material is different than the thermal conductivity of the first refractory material.

18. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an electromagnetic inductor disposed around at least a portion of the circumference of the molybdenum conduit, the electromagnetic inductor being configured to induce current in a wall of the conduit.

19. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 18, wherein the electromagnetic inductor is disposed helically around the molybdenum conduit.

20. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 19, wherein the pitch of the electromagnetic inductors varies along the length of the molybdenum conduit.

21. The glass manufacturing equipment as described in claim 18 further includes: a second electromagnetic inductor, which is arranged around at least a portion of the circumference of the molybdenum conduit, and the second electromagnetic inductor is spaced apart from the first electromagnetic inductor in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the molybdenum conduit.

22. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 18, wherein the electromagnetic inductor includes an internal passage extending along a length of the electromagnetic inductor, the passage configured to receive a flow of coolant therethrough.

23. A glass manufacturing device, comprising: a first molybdenum conduit, the first molybdenum conduit including a first conduit wall extending between a first end of the first molybdenum conduit and a second end of the first molybdenum conduit, the first molybdenum conduit including a first flange comprising molybdenum attached to the first end of the first molybdenum conduit; and a first electromagnetic inductor, the first electromagnetic inductor being arranged around at least a portion of the first conduit wall, the first electromagnetic inductor being configured to induce a first current in the first conduit wall.

24. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first molybdenum conduit comprises a second flange comprising molybdenum attached to the first molybdenum conduit intermediate the first end and the second end.

25. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 24, wherein the first electromagnetic inductor is positioned between the first flange and the second flange.

26. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 25, further comprising: a second electromagnetic inductor disposed around at least a portion of the first conduit wall between the second flange and the second end.

27. The glass manufacturing equipment as described in claim 23 further includes: a second molybdenum conduit, the second molybdenum conduit includes a second conduit wall extending between a third end of the second molybdenum conduit and a fourth end of the second molybdenum conduit opposite to the third end, the second molybdenum conduit includes a second flange containing molybdenum attached to the third end of the second molybdenum conduit, the second molybdenum conduit is arranged adjacent to the first molybdenum conduit so that the first longitudinal axis of the first molybdenum conduit is coaxial with the second longitudinal axis of the second molybdenum conduit, and the second flange is spaced apart from the first flange, the second molybdenum conduit also includes a second electromagnetic inductor arranged around at least a portion of the second conduit wall and positioned between the third end and the fourth end, the second electromagnetic inductor being configured to induce a second current in the second conduit wall.

28. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 27, wherein a glass seal is disposed between the first flange and the second flange.

29. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 23, wherein a pitch of said first electromagnetic inductor varies along a length of said first molybdenum conduit.