Gas injector BUB H 1 AA

General description
BUB H 1 AA is a water-cooled bubbler injector designed to introduce controlled gas (air or oxygen) through nozzles into molten glass to reinforce vertical currents at the furnace hot spot, improving melt and temperature homogeneity and assisting in batch cover control. The unit integrates a water jacket around the injector for localized cooling, extending component life and enabling hot replacement when required.

Benefits

• Improves glass homogeneity by reinforcing upward currents
• Enhances temperature uniformity across the melt
• Helps fix and stabilise the furnace hot spot
• Supports control of batch cover and melting conditions

Design and operation
A single or double row of injectors is installed at the hot spot across the furnace width to strengthen vertical convection. Nozzle diameter, number of tubes and installation layout are determined from furnace design, glass composition and target bottom temperature. Gas pressure and flow control bubble size and frequency; lower glass viscosity (higher temperature) reduces bubble size and increases frequency. When using factory compressed air, install oil-removal filtration to prevent nozzle clogging. For certain glass formulations, oxygen may be used to improve chemical dissolution into the melt.

Typical working ranges and notes
Recommended working pressure after the skid is 0.5 to 2 bar. Documented per-bubbler flows are typically 80–200 N liters/h; system ranges 60–360 N liters/h depending on configuration. On installation, air is normally applied at nominal 0.5 bar to prevent ingress of glass; after heat-up, adjust pressure while observing bubble size and frequency at the glass surface.

New Water Cooled Bubbler Injector - features

• Reduced refractory bottom wear due to localized cooling at nozzle area
• Hot-replaceable bubblers while furnace remains in operation
• Nozzle unblocking possible with compressed air or dedicated mechanical tools
• Compatible with either compressed air or oxygen as bubbling gas

These bubblers are characterized by

• Special stainless steel and Inconel nozzle materials
• Water-jacket cooling around the injector
• Designed for extended service life
• Can be switched OFF and ON during operation

System completion
The supply includes a control skid with filtration, pressure regulation and a back-up tank providing approximately 30 minutes of cover to bridge temporary compressed-air interruptions.

Injector assembly comprises

• Support bracket
• Insulated support
• Insulating shield
• Straight connecting nipple for air and water input
• Bubbler tube

Installation and bubbling control panel
The bubbling control panel is supplied fully wired and tested, containing the necessary instruments and controls. Key features include:

• Fully redundant reducing and filtering section for bubbling gas
• Flow-regulating valve, pressure gauge and flow meter set per injector
• Main control instrumentation positioned on the front panel
• High-pressure bypass for nozzle unclogging

Mechanical tools for unclogging are supplied. Cooling water return is routed via a stainless-steel manifold with one flow detector per bubbler.

Model data
Model: BUB H 1 AA
Max temperature cooling water input (°C): 20 to 35
Max temperature cooling water output (°C): 45
Max Water hardness (°f): 4
Max Water calcium content (ppm): 40
Water cooling inlet pressure range (bar): 2 to 4
Air/oxygen input pressure range (bar): 4 to 8
Air/oxygen pressure reduced after skid (bar): 0.5 to 2
Air/oxygen flow range (N liters/h): 60 to 360
Bubbling gas: Air / Oxygen

Technical specifications

• Model: BUB H 1 AA
• Working air/oxygen pressure after skid: 0.5 to 2 bar
• Air/oxygen input pressure (before skid): 4 to 8 bar
• Documented air/oxygen flow range (system): 60 to 360 N liters/h
• Per-bubbler typical airflow: 80 to 200 N liters/h
• Water cooling inlet pressure range: 2 to 4 bar
• Cooling water input temperature range: 20 to 35 °C
• Cooling water output max temperature: 45 °C
• Max water hardness: 4 °f
• Max water calcium content: 40 ppm
• Bubbling gas: air or oxygen selectable
• Control skid includes filters, pressure regulators and a 30-minute back-up tank
• Nozzles: special stainless steel and Inconel; injectors are water-jacket cooled