How Calumite Slag Works

Faster Melting

Calumite Slag increases the melting rate of the batch, thereby allowing furnace temperatures or energy consumption to be reduced without affecting glass quality. The glass melting process is, in effect, a series of reactions rather than a true melting process. In the glass tank, a large number of these reactions will be occurring simultaneously, depending on the small local variations in composition, temperature and atmosphere that will inevitably occur within the furnace. There is a number of ways in which Calumite Slag is believed to influence the melting process.

As the batch is heated, liquid phases start to form at around 750-800ºC, which then coat the raw material grains, enhancing the reactions within the melt. This initial liquid phase will include Na₂CO₃, either from direct melting or reaction with other batch materials. This liquid reacts with the sand grains, forming sodium silicates, by reactions such as:

Na₂CO₃ + Si0₂ = Na₂0 • SiO₂

Na₂0 • Si0₂ = NaO • 2SiO₂

As the temperature increases, other batch materials will react to become part of the liquid. Limestone and dolomite decompose at 800-900ºC, through an endothermic reaction releasing CO₂ and CaO and MgO that react and form part of the melt. However, it is known that limestone and CaO are poorly wetted by the primary melt.

The use of Calumite Slag provides between 15% and 40% of the CaO in the new glass from the batch. As the Calumite Slag is glassy and, therefore, liquid at glass melting temperatures, it is available to take part in the batch reactions at lower temperatures than the decomposition of limestone and dolomite. This improves the homogenization of the batch and also reduces the endothermic effect associated with the decomposition of the carbonates.

The final stage in the melting process is the dissolution of residual sand grains. As the sand grains dissolve, a SiO₂ rich boundary layer will form in the melt around the sand grain. The rate of dissolution will depend on the solubility of SiO₂ in the melt and the rate of diffusion of SiO₂ away from the sand grain into the melt. Calumite Slag has a lower concentration of SiO₂ than the glass melt, along with a tendency to wet the sand grains. This results in a SiO₂ concentration gradient that encourages dissolution of the sand grains into the melt, thereby increasing the melting rate.

Figure 7.1 - Schematic diagram of sand grain dissolution into the melt

Improved Refining

One of the most striking effects of using Calumite Slag is the virtual elimination of seeds and blisters caused by excess residual sulfate, due to the interaction of Calumite Slag with the sodium sulfate in the batch.

Sodium Sulfate

At temperatures above 1040ºC, the limited solubility of sodium sulfate in the melt causes it to collect at the interfaces between the melt and unmelted batch or gas bubbles, acting as a surfactant and increasing the fluidity of the melt. The thermal decomposition of sodium sulfate in the melt occurs at around 1288ºC, producing a stirring action that accelerates the dissolution of unmelted particles and allows bubbles to rise rapidly through the melt. However the low solubility of sodium sulfate in the final glass melt composition can result in foam or bubble formation from the decomposition of any excess sodium sulfate, leading to defects in the final glass.

Effect of Calumite Slag and Sodium Sulfate

In the presence of sulfide, S^2-, from Calumite Slag , the decomposition of sodium sulfate occurs at a lower temperature of around 900ºC. The beneficial effects of the interfacial turbulence are therefore experienced earlier in the batch melting process. In addition, the sulfate - sulfide reaction ensures nearly all the sulfur in the batch is released as SO₂, reducing the possibility of foaming or reboil as a result of excess sulfate.