Glass Melting Technology: A Technical and Economic ... - OSTI

• Pressed/Blown Glass Current Size 2010 2020
Regenerative – 645,887
Direct Melters – 844,622
Electric Melters – 124,209
Oxy-fuel - 869,464 _____________
2,484,182 2,930,000 3,570,000
($5.8 billion) ($6.8 billion) ($8.3 billion)
(High Priority Target Markets cont.)
• Fiber Glass
Insulation Electric – 1,436,400
Insulation Recuperative – 402,192
Insulation Oxy-fuel – 76,608
Textile Recuperative – 1,079,808
Textile Oxy-fuel – 44,992_________________________
Total tons 5,524,182 6,700,000 8,170,000
*All numbers are referenced from the Glass Technology Roadmap. Fiber $ NA from roadmap.
Penetration of the proposed technology into this market(s).
The new plasma melting system will become very competitive in selected segments of the
Press/Blown and Fiberglass Sectors.
Press/Blown 2005 2010 2015 2020
Million tons 2.65 2.93 3.23 3.57
Applicable MM T .045 0.139 0.369 0.772
(4.4%) (12.2%) (29.3%) (55.5%)
Fibers
Million tons 3.42 3.78 4.17 4.61
Applicable MM T 0.151 0.461 1.222 2.557
4.4% 12.2% 29.3% 55.5%
Project Status (April 2004)
Most of the infrastructure and system fabrication are complete in the Plasmelt Boulder Lab.
These include:
• Plasma Torches
• Power Supply and All Electrical Sub-systems
• Water Chilling and Cooling Systems
• Purge Gas Systems
• Melter Shell and Accessory Systems
• Vent Hood, Ductwork, and Blower System
• Electrode Positioning Systems
• Mezzanine Structure
• Glass Batch Handling Equipment
• Cullet Handling System
170