Furnace feeder

for bulk materialsautomaticoscillating

General description
The batch charger is one of the most important pieces of equipment installed in a glass furnace as it has an important influence on the performance of the furnace. Glass Service has developed a range of batch chargers with several models and sizes to suit different types of furnace, specific glass production and furnace sizes. For each furnace and glass type, selecting the correct batch charger and charging method gives a number of advantages.

Benefits

• Increase the furnace pull rate
• Decrease the energy consumption
• Reduce the carryover (low dusting)
• Reduce oscillations in the glass level
• Reduce NOx formation by using a fully sealed doghouse

Scoop type batch charger
The main concepts behind the development of our batch chargers are simplicity, flexibility and reliability. These machines can be easily adapted to a wide range of pull rates and require low maintenance even when operating under heavy working conditions. The batch charging machine is directly installed and sealed on top of the doghouse sidewall blocks, yielding low NOx formation and low energy losses. The supporting structure is a double electro-welded water-cooled stainless steel shield. The scoop machine is available in two versions: fixed type and oscillating type, each available in two sizes.

Main components

• Main horizontal base (water cooled)
• Vertical shield (water cooled)
• Small sized hopper to prevent batch compacting
• Water cooled scoop
• Drive system for oscillating scoop: AC servo ventilated electric motor (driven by inverter) coupled with gearbox
• Capacitive sensor to detect minimum batch level in the hopper
• Set of flexible hoses for water cooling (suitable for high temperature and pressure)
• Independent cooling water manifolds equipped with flow sensors and thermometers

Oscillating version - additional features

• Water cooled oscillating base with ±22° max rotation angle and five manually settable position selectors
• Drive system for the oscillating base via electric motor and linear actuator
• Crankrod mechanism to operate the scoop; scoop drive by a class F, self-braking motor with inverter and separate air cooling

Design & maintenance
The Glass Service batch chargers are robustly designed for continuous 24/7 operation in the high temperature doghouse environment. The design is optimized for quick and easy maintenance using quick-release components and simple mechanisms. Correct sizing improves glass level stability and forming process productivity.

Control board
The batch charger can be controlled via a local control board or connected to the main control room by a 4-20 mA signal. The control board is rugged steel construction, delivered completely wired and tested. Two operating modes are available: a) Continuous cycle (automatic/manual speed control) and b) ON-OFF cycle (timer based). In Automatic mode the charger may receive a 4-20 mA signal from the glass level controller; in Manual mode the speed is set manually (1 to 100%). The PLC-based option supports alarms management, RS-485 Modbus (on PLC variants) and remote signals where applicable.

Notes
Machines are fully tested and wired with high temperature cables and components. Cooling and electrical configurations are provided to cope with high temperature environments. Glass Service can supply complete control solutions including SIL-2 safety applications for combustion systems where required.

Technical data / specifications

• Available models (examples shown on product table): INF PO 250-100-AA, INF PO 400-180-AA, INF PG 400-180-AA, INF PG 600-280-AA
• Type: Fixed and Oscillating variants
• Scoop width (mm): 250 / 400 / 400 / 600 (per respective model)
• Scoop max. depth: 70 mm
• Scoop speed range: 6 to 30 strokes/min
• Crank gear positions: 4
• Flow rate @ 50 Hz (kg/min): model-dependent ranges (examples: 43–98; 76–177; 122–281)
• Oscillating angle: 44° (±22°)
• Number of oscillating positions: 2, 3 or 5 (model dependent)
• Material handled: Glass batch, cullet only, or glass batch & cullet
• Max cullet size: 25 mm
• Moisture content tolerated: 0.5 to 3% water
• Main motor power: 1.5 kW (typical)
• Oscillating motor power: 0.13 kW (typical for oscillating drive)
• Electric power connection: 3Ph + E / 400 VAC 50 Hz
• Water cooling requirements (liters/min): examples 120 / 160 (model dependent)
• Water inlet pressure: 2 to 4 bar
• Water inlet specifications: Treated industrial water (≈4 French degrees), max 40 ppm calcium, temperature 20 to 35 °C
• Water flow control and instrumentation: input/output thermometers, input pressure switch, output flow switches (quantities depend on model)
• Dimensions (L x H x W mm) by model examples: 900 x 635 x 1230; 1050 x 750 x 1230; 1550 x 750 x 1360; 1850 x 750 x 1360
• Weight (kg) by model examples: 325; 400; 550; 600