A Tunnel Furnace is an industrial furnace used for continuously heating, annealing, and sintering materials. It is designed as a long, narrow tunnel with a conveyor system that carries the materials through the furnace. It has an advanced structure, easy disassembly and assembly, and a beautiful appearance. According to different heat sources, there are electric tunnel furnaces, gas tunnel furnaces or natural gas tunnel furnaces. One can customise the tunnel furnaces according to the production capacity of the tunnel furnace's arbitrary length and width. It has the characteristics of high production efficiency, labour saving and stable quality.
Modern glass formulations are often complex and varied. Hence, producing these speciality glasses requires a glass furnace with accurate temperature capability above 1500C. A glass melting furnace, also known as an annealing oven or glass furnace, melts raw materials to make a glass. Depending on the intended use, there are various designs of glass melters available. They use different power supplies. The glass furnace allows glassmakers to control the temperature of the Glass so it does not break or lose its shape as it cools.
Advantages of using a Tunnel Furnace
Tunnel Furnace provide uniform heating and cooling of materials, making them crucial in manufacturing. The temperature controller in a tunnel furnace monitors the temperature inside the stove and adjusts the heating system accordingly. The main components of a tunnel furnace include the furnace chamber, the heating system, the conveyor system, and the control system. These furnaces are essential for various industries, including metalworking, ceramics, and glass production.
Precise temperature control: The temperature inside the furnace can be controlled accurately, ensuring consistent and repeatable results.
Uniform heating: The materials are heated evenly as they pass through the furnace, reducing the risk of thermal shock and other defects.
Energy efficiency: The design of the furnace minimizes heat loss, resulting in lower energy consumption and operating costs.
Continuous operation: Tunnel furnaces are designed for continuous operation, which can improve efficiency and reduce labour costs.
Types of Glass Melters
The two types of glass meltersare Pot furnaces and Tank furnaces.
Pot Furnaces: These furnaces are built of refractory materials in which there is no contact between the stove and the Glass. Glass is melted in several pots made of refractory materials, resistant to glass attack at high temperatures. Pot furnaces are used where the Glass is formed by hand and mouth blowing. One of the main advantages of the pot system is that one can melt several types of glasses at the same time.
Tank Furnaces: These are used where a continuous flow of Glass is needed to feed automatic Glass-forming machines. They are more economical in fuel use and mainly for the large-scale production of containers, flat Glass, electric bulbs, tubing and domestic machine-made tableware.
Importance of Glass Melting Technology
Glass melting technology is the most advanced melting technology in the world at present. It is an effective way for glass production enterprises to improve product quality, reduce energy consumption and fundamentally eliminate environmental pollution. The glass melting furnace is a critical component in modern glass manufacturing. Chemicals are heated together in a glass furnace to their melting point when they fuse into molten Glass.
The liquid can then be formed into the shape it will retain when it cools and solidifies. Electric glass furnaces are the most common types of glass-melting furnaces. In areas with high electricity prices, producing stained Glass, opaque Glass, borosilicate glass, lead Glass, high-volatile component glass or special Glass is also cost-effective. Some products made using glass-melting furnaces include Jars, Bottles, Glass panels, Lab Equipment, Lenses and Cookware.