Impact Of Silica Attack On Soda Lime Oxy-Fuel Furnaces

This paper addresses the deterioration of refractories in oxy-fuel furnaces and, more specifically, deterioration of silica refractories in soda lime glass furnaces. It first reviews the history of silica ratholing in the glass container industry and examines its mechanisms. Then it goes on to discuss ratholing and surface reactions on silica crowns, and shows that with adequate insulation, good construction and heat-up practices, proper burners and burner placement, tight control on the oxygen-fuel ratio and on oxygen supply pressure, problems can be avoided.