Allied Glass has completed a melter and forehearth rebuild at its Knottingley site. The project has resulted in a larger furnace with more production capacity and better environmental performance. The furnace is larger and deeper with provision for electric and oxy-fuel boosting. The project was managed by its in-house engineering project management team. The team sourced EU refractory materials for the build, and selected technologies from European equipment suppliers including Sorg, ACSI and Society of Glass Technology. A sealed doghouse and batch charger, a low-NOx combustion system, integrated waste gas oxygen control, a PLC control system and new gas metering and control skids were included in the rebuild. The new furnace has also improved insulation and a re-designed combustion space. Allied said the changes would deliver industry best practice for energy efficiency and NOx limits. The furnace will feed five IS machines, including one fed by a colouring forehearth.
