Glass production is a complex and continuous process that transforms various mineral and chemical raw materials into a homogeneous, transparent solid with specific properties through high-temperature melting. Its core processes mainly include: batch preparation, melting, and subsequent deep processing.
Batch Preparation
Raw Material Selection and Storage: Based on the type of glass to be produced (e.g., flat glass, bottle glass), appropriate main raw materials (e.g., introducing SiO₂ with quartz sand, introducing Na₂O with soda ash, introducing CaO with limestone) and auxiliary raw materials (e.g., clarifying agents, coloring agents, decolorizing agents, etc.) are selected. All raw materials must be properly stored in a dedicated warehouse to prevent moisture and contamination, especially hygroscopic materials such as soda ash and sodium sulfate.
Weighing and Mixing: According to the precisely designed formula, various raw materials are weighed. Accurate weighing is fundamental to ensuring stable glass composition and consistent performance. Afterward, the weighed raw materials are added to a mixer for thorough and uniform mixing to form the "batch." Uniform mixing ensures that the chemical reaction in the molten glass proceeds evenly during melting, avoiding defects such as streaks and inclusions.
Batch Preparation: Melting is the core step in the entire process. The batch material undergoes a series of physical and chemical reactions in a high-temperature furnace, ultimately forming a uniform, pure, and formable molten glass. This process is usually carried out in a continuously operating tank furnace.
