This project's objective of evaluating the glass industry's perspectives on melting technology initially encompassed an extensive search of patents & research literature. A system of categorisation, from raw materials through molten glass delivery to fabrication, was developed for elements relating to advancing glass melting. Over 525 technical literature articles & almost 300 patents have been identified as part of this project. The report will include relevant discussions on the technical and economic issues associated with a wide range of glass melting technology improvements. In the patent and technical literature seraph, each item's attributes were matched to a number of different categories. 15 categories were subdivided to characterise technical component attributes of new ideas or processes, & 3 categories were added for economic considerations.
