Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
5 S;f~
~UPPR~SSION OF POLLUTION IN
THE MANUF~CTURE ~F GLASS FIBERS
In our Canadian application No. 196,120, filed
March 27, 1974, there is disclosed a new technique for pro-
ducing fibers from attenuable materials, such as molten
glass. Thus, in said prior application a gaseous jet is
arranged to penetrate transversely into a larger gaseous .
blast in order to establish a zone of interaction, and the
attenuable material such as the molten glass is admitted
into the zone of interaction and this results in attenua-
tion of the attenuable material thereby forminq filaments.
For introduction of the glass or other attenuable material
into the zone of interaction, a stream of the molten glass~ :
is delivered from a glass supply orifice usually located
in a position which, with reference to the blast, is down-
stream of the jet. This fiberization technique is reEerred
to as "toration" in the prior application above referred
to.
'
The present invention is concerned with improve-
ments and variations both in the apparatus and in the method
for making glass fiber blankets or mats by toration, i.e~,
by techniques of the kind disclosed in the prior applica-
tion above identified.
One aspect of the improvements of the present
invention relates to the provision of certain features of :
apparatus and method for suppression of pollution in the
--1-- ,, ,
*~^~
~15SZ3
manufacture of glass fiber blankets or the like. In
our Canadian application No. 210,777, filed October 4,
1974, there are disclosed certain techniques for the :
suppression of pollution in glass fiber manufacture .
as applied to a variety of fiberizing techniques,
and the present invention is concerned with adapta- ~ .
tion.s of certain of the techniques disclosed in
application No. 210,777, which ~dàptations are particu-
larly adapted to the suppression of pollution in
fiberizing techniques of the kind disclosed in appli- .
cation No. 196,12û.
The present application is a division of our
prior application Serial No. 245,255, filed February 9,
1976.
In one aspect of the invention, there is provided
a method for forming a fiber blanket on a perforated ;
fiber-collecting surface defining at least a large part
of one wall of a fiber-collec:ting chamber, comprising ~: ~
delivering streams of molten thermoplastic material into :
the chamber in a region spaced from the fiber-collecting
surface, effecting fiberization of the streams by devel~- :
oping a gaseous fiber-attenuating current flowing from
the region of the streams to and through the perforated
collecting surface, and separating the gaseous curxent
downstream of the collecting surface into por-tions and
recirculating the portions to different regions of the
chamber. .
pg/~ 2 -
:..
SSZ~
In another aspect of -the invention, there is provided
equipment for making glass fiber blanket comprising a sub-
stantially closed fiber-receiving chamber, a perforated fiber-
collecting conveyor defining at least a large part of one wall
of the chamber, means for delivering streams of molten thermo-
plas-tic material into the chamber, means for fiberizing molten
material including jet means for effecting gaseous attenuation
of the molten material in a r~gion spaced from the collecting
conveyor, suction means for withdrawing gases from the chamber
through the fiber-collecting conveyor and thereby form a
fibrous blanket on the conveyor, means for spraying water and
resin binder material on the fibers in the fiber-receiving
chamber, and means for recirculating at least a portion of the
gases into the fiber-receiving chamber.
According to another aspect of the invention there is
provided equipment for making fiber blanket comprising a sub-
stantially closed fiber-receiving chamber, a perforated fiber-
collecting conveyor defining at least a large part of a wall
of the chamber, means for admitting a stream of molten glass
. 20 into the chamber, means for fiberizing molten glass including
jet means for effecting gaseous attenuation oE the molten glass
in a region spaced from the collecting conveyor, means defining
a channel for directing the attenuated fibers from the region
~ to the collecting conveyor, suction means for withdrawing gases
: from the chamber through the fiber~collecting conveyor and
thereby form a fibrous blanket on the con~eyor, means for
spraying water and resin binder material on the fibers after
delivery from the channel, means for separating water with :
resinous materials carried thereby from the gaseous
; ~
sd/~ 3
: .
sz~
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currents, and means for recirculating at least a
portion of the gases to and through the fiber~direct-
ing channel.
The features of the present invention can most
readily be explained after consideration of at least
some of the equipment as represented more or less
diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings in which
the various figures may be hriefly described as follows:
pg/t~
.. . ..
S~3
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of all
of the major components of one embodiment of a plant incor-
porating not only the equipment of a plant for effecting
fiberization of molten ~lass by toration and the formation
of a Eiber blanket, but also various devices for suppres-
sion of pollution, as will be described more fully herein-
after.
Figures 2 to 12 inclusive are somewhat diagram-
matic and schematic outline views of another plant of the
general kind above referred to but illustrating various
additional structural parts and relationships thereof, and
in which:
Figure 2 is a schematic outline perspective repre-
; ;
sentation of the major components of both the fiberizingand pollution suppression equipment of this embodiment;
Figure 3 is an outline plan view of the equipment
shown in Figure 2, Figure 3 being taken generally as indi- .
cated by the arrow C applied to Figure 2;
Figure 4 is an outline end elevational view of
the equipment of Figure 2, taken generally as indicated ~ ;
by the arrow D on Figure 2, but omitting certain parts for
the sake of simplicity;
Figure 5 is a side outline elevational view, taken
generally as indicated by thP arrow E on Figure 2, but also
omitting certain parts, and having additional parts broken
away to disclose others lying within;
S7~ ,
Figure 6 is an enlarged diagrammatic outline view
of equipment associated with one of the fiberizing stations
viewed in the same direction as Figure 5 and with certain ~.
parts shown purely schematically in order to simplify the
illustration;
Figures 7 and 8 are flow diagrams illustrating
the action of one form of adjustment means provided for
enhancing uniformity of fiber distribution in the fiber
blanket being made; and
~ ' `'`~
Figures 9 and 10 are additional diagrams of fiber
distribution patterns which may be accomplished by ad~ust- .
ment of certain devices diagrammatically illustrated in
Figures ll and 12.
The advantages and features of the arrangements :;
of Figures 1-12 can most readily be explained after considera
tion of at least some of the equipment as represented more
or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings.
Therefore, reference is first made to Figure 1 and in connec-
~: ,
tion with that figure, it is to be noted that while certain
aspects of the equipment for fiberization and fiber collec-
tion may be physically arranged in the general manner indi~
cated in Figure l, the principals to be explained with rela-
tion to Figure 1 are not necessarily limited to that arrange-
ment, but are equally applicable to other arrangements such
as that shown in Figures 2 to 12.
-6- :
.
SS~
It is also to be noted in connection with the
following description of Figure 1 that certain of the parts
of the fiberization equipment there shown are identified
by reference numerals which are either the same as or related
to those employed in Figures 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D of our
prior application Serial No, 196,1~0, above referred to,
and that certain of the parts of the pollution suppression
equipment are identified by reference numerals which are
either the same as or related to those employed in the draw-
ings illustrating various of the embodiments of pollution
suppression equipment as disclosed in the drawings of our
copending application Serial No. 210,777, above identified.
In addition to certain features of the pollution
suppression equipment which are arranged in the same manner
or in the same general manner as in our copending application
Serial No. 210,777, the present application also discloses
other features of arrangement which are not disclosed in
said prior application.
Considering now the fiberization equipment shown
in Figure 1, reference is first made to the blast or princi :
pal jet generators 154, 156 and 158 and also to the cooperat-
ing secondary or carrier jet generators 14~, 150 and 152.
Thes~ generators produce interacting jets which, as is fully
disclosed hereinabove/ create zones of interaction into
which molten glass is admitted rom orifices in the crucibles . :~
142, 144 and 146. The molten glass may be supplied to the
crucibles, for instance from the forehearth branches 136,
13B and 1400 .
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,. , " ~ . .
s~
As e~plained herein and also in our priar applica-
tion 196,120, a plurality of secondary jets are preferably
associated wi~h each blast, and a plurality of glass streams,
one associated with each secondary jet, are admitted into ~ ~
each blast, thereby providing groups of fiberizing stations ;
associated with each blast generator 154, 15~ and 158.
Still further, a plurality of the blast generators and asso~
ciated generators for secondary jets, and also orifices
for admission of glass streams, are provided transversely
of the equipment. Thus, when viewed as in Figure 1, each
blast generator, for instance the generator 154, represents
only one of a series which are aligned with each other.
All of the fiberizing centers established by the groups~ ~;
of generators deliver the attenuated fibers into a common ~;
hollow guide 168, 170 or 172. These guides, in effect,
form channels for directing the fibers from the several
groups of fiberization stations downwardly in an inclined
path from the zone of fiberization toward the perforated
fiber-collecting conveyor 180. Guides of this type are
desirably tapered in plan form to provide a progressively
reduced width, for instance in the manner shown in Figure
15B of the prior application 196,120.
'
As is fully explained in our application Serial
No. 196,120, each jet is of smaller cross section than the
blast and has kinetic energy greater than that of the blast
in the operational area thereof. This may be achieved by
employing a jet of higher velocity than the blast.
- ,
, ~ . . ..
As will be understood, the gases from the blast
generators and the jet generators in each group flow with
the fibers into the upper or inlet ends of the channels
fQrmed in the hollow guides 168, 170 and 172, and each of
these fiber and gas streams is indicated in Figure 1 by
the reference numeral 12.
' ~
As seen in Figure 1, the fiberization equipment
is arranged in spaced relation to the fiber-collecting conveyor
180 and is located in a fiber-receiving chamber 100 formed
by various wall elements and preferably being substantiall.y
closed. The fiber-collecting conveyor 180 defines at least
in large part one of the walls of the collecting chamber
and this conveyor serves to carry the formed blanket to
the left out of the chamber below the left hand end wall.
As will be understood, appropriate openings are provided
for the introduction of the fuel and air needed for the
blast and jet generators, and in addition~ there are openings
appropriate to the accommodation of the molten ylass fore-
hearth branches and crucibles to provide for admission of
the molten glass into the fiberization equipment~
To provide for collection of the fibers on the
perforated fiber-collecting conveyor, suction chambers 16
are positioned beneath the fiber-collecting run of the con-
veyor, the chambers being open at the top and having ducts
:
17 connected therewith and respectively communicating with
cyclone separators 18. Each cyclone separator has an offtake
connection extended to a blower or exhaust fan 19 which
discharges the exhausted gases into the duct 34, constitut-
ing a recirculating duct which is connected with one end
of the fiber-receiving chamber 100. Baffles 132 in the
region where the duct 34 is connected with the chamber 100
serve to uniformly distribute the recirculating gases in
the fiber-receiving chamber.
For the purpose of cooling the fibers as they
are delivered from the guides 168, 170 and 172, water sprayers .` `:
50 are provided, preferably both abo~e and below the fiber
and gas stream 12 delivered from each of the guides. Down-
stream of the water sprayers, additional spray nozzles 13
are provided and these additional nozzles serve to spray
onto the fibers a liquid binder resin material, preferably
a binder which is adapted to harden or cure upon subsequent "
heating of the formed blanket, for instance in an oven through
which the blanket is delivered after being discharged from
the left of Figure 1.
Because of the spraying of the fibers with the
water and with the liquid binder resin material, the gases
which are withdrawn through the suction chambers 16 carry
with them substantial quantities of moisture and also resin
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": ~ ,
ss~
constituents. It is contemplated that such constituents
and also small fiber pieces which may be carried through
the collecting conveyor by the gases being exhausted, should
be removed from the gases before recirculation thereof back
into the fiber-receiving chamber. This separation is effected
in the embodiment illustrated by means of the cyclone separators
18. The separation is enhanced and assisted by the scrubbing
action sf additional water spraying nozzles 45 which are
arranged within the suctio~ chambers 16.
The general flow pattern of the gases in the recir-
culating system shown in Figure 1 is indicated at various
places by the arrows 29. In the fiber-receiving chamber,
the gas flow is not only established by the exhaust fans
19, but also tends to be augmented by the action of the
blast and jets at the fiberizing centers. Because the upper
ends of the guides 168, 170 and 172 are open in the zones
of the fiberizing centers, portions of the recirculating ,
gases are induced to enter the upper ends of the guides
and other portions join the gas and fiber streams 12 beyond
the discharge enas of the guide.
The liquid constituents which are separated in
the cyclone separators 1~, together with various constituents
entrained thereby are discharged from the lower ends of
the separators through the discharge openings 25 and collect
,
in the sump 103, and in this way, various of the liquid
and solid constituents which are picked up or entrained
by the gas flow stream are separated and isolated, so that
they are not returned into the fiber-receiving chamber with
the recirculating gasesO For further suppression of pollu-
tion, these separated liquids are specially treated as will
be described hereinafter, but here it is first noted that
although virtually all of the gases which are drawn from
the receiving chamber through the fiber-collecting conveyor
are recirculated to the fiber-receiving chamber, some gases
are withdrawn ~rom the receiving chamber through the duct ;
35 under the influence of the fan 44. This fraction of
the circulating gases represents a quantity on the order
of 5~ to 10% of the total amount flowing through the per-
forated collecting conveyor and represents approximately
that percentage of additional gases which are constantly
being introduced under the action of the blast and jet gen- ~ ~-
erators employed at the fiberization stations. The gases
withdrawn under the action of the fan 44 are delivered into
and through a burner device 39 in which the temperature
is elevated to a point preferably above 600C, after which
the treated gases may be expelled to the atmosphere sub-
stantially without objectionable pollution. All of the
remaining 90~ to 95~ of the gases are recirculated, and
thus do not pollute the atmosphere.
In addition to recirculation of the gases, the
system in Figure 1 also contemplates treatment of and recir-
culation of water delivered from the cyclone separators
.
~ 5~
18. For this purpose, a pump 104 transfers the water from ~
, ~
the sump 103 into the tank 52, a screen or filter diagram- ~ -
matically indicated at 51 being interposed in order to sepa-
rate solids before the water is delivered into the tank.
The water is recirculated from the tank 52 by a pump 53
through the heat exchanger 105 for the purpose of cooling
the water, the cooled water being returned to the tank 52
through the screen or filter device 51 providing for separa-
tion of solids. The cooler 105 is adapted to be cooled
by a heat transfer medium recirculated by means of a pump
107 through the cooling unit 106. The details of construc-
tion of these parts may take a variety of forms and need
not be considered herein as they form no part of the present
invention per se.
Water is also withdrawn from the tank 52 by means
of pump 55 and is delivered thereby, preferably under suit-
able adjustable controls not illustrated, to the water spray
nozzles 50 and 45. The pump 55 may also deliver water to
the station 108 for preparation of the fiber binder or siz-
ing which may take any suitable form and from which the
binder material is delivered to the spray nozzles 13. ~;
:'
Still further, some of the water is preferably
delivered to the station 109 or treatment to separate resin
constituents carried in solution. This is preferably efected
in the manner more fully described in our application Serial ~;
No. 210,777, according to which the water is subjected to
an increased pressure and to an increased temperature, after
which it is cooled. This treatment results in insolubliz-
ing resin constitutents, which may then readily be separated,
for instance by means of a centrifuge. The purified water
is then returned to the tank 52 for reuse. The solid con-
stituents separated at the station 109 and also by the filter
51 associated with the tank 52 are transferred by means
of suitable conveyors 112 and 57 to the waste treatment
station 113 which, as disclosed in our application just
mentioned, may consist of a heater or burner in which the
solid waste materials are brought to a temperature of the
order of 600 to 700C so as to burn the resin binder con-
stituents present and also to sinter any fibers present.
The latter may, if desired, be reintroduced into the fiber
circulation system, i.e., into the constituents from which
the molten glass is prepared for fiberization.
Make-up water may be introduced into the system
by means of the supply connection 111 delivering into the ;
tank 52.
Various of the foregoing structural and opera-
tional features described with reference to Figure 1 are
also incorporated in the embodiment illustrated in Figures
2 to 12, but in addition, certain portions of the equipment
are differently arranged and further advantageous features
are incorporated in the arrangement of Figures 2 to 1~.
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s~
For the purpose of this explanation and description,
reference is first made to Figure 6 which is a schematic
illustration of one of several fiberizing units or stations
incorporated in the equipment shown more generally in Fig-
ures 2, 3, 4 and 5. As above indicated, Figure 6 also sche-
matically shows the relationship of parts at a fiberizing
station on a much larger scale than the other figures of
this group. Molten glass may be fed to the station shown
in Figure 6 in the same general manner as described above
with reference to Figure 1, i.e., by means of a forehearth
branch 136 communicating with a crucible 142 having a bush-
ing as shown, with apertures from which streams of molten
glass may be admitted into the fiberizing zones as estab-
lished by the interaction of secondary jets created by the
generator 148 and delivered through jet nozzles as shown,
cooperating with the blast delivered from the discharge ;
lips of the blast generator 154. The gas and fiber stream :
12 delivered from this fiberizing station is received in
~, .
the upper or open inlet end of the tubular guide 168 which '
directs the stream downwardly to the perforated fiber-collect-
ing conveyor 180 (see Figures 2, 3 and 5).
As in the arrangement of Figure 1 and further
as in various of the arrangements described in our prior
application 196,120, for instance in connection with Fig- :
ures 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D of said prior application, the ~ -~
fiberizing centers are arranged in multiple transversely
of the collecting conveyor and in addition, the fiberizing
units or stations are multiplied lenythwise of the collect-
ing conveyor as is schematically illustrated in Figure 5
wherein five forehearth branches 136 to 140 are shown, as
well as the five associated tubular guides 168 to 172.
In Figure 3, the mul~iplication of the fiberizing
stations transversely of the collecting conveyor 180 is
indicated schematically at a to f.
Figure 3 also shows in dot and dash outline the
location of the forehearth branches 136 to 140 for feeding
each of the groups of fiberizing stations a to f. These
forehearth branches may be fed from a forehearth as indi-
cated at FH. ;~
:':
It is to be understood that each one of the fiber-
izing stations a to f will include a plurality of fiberiz-
ing centers, i.e., a plurality of secondary jets cooperat-
ing with individual streams of molten glass, in the manner
fully developed hereinabove.
"
In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 to
12 inclusive, and especially in Figures 3 to 6 inclusive,
various reference characters have been applied to parts
of the equipment corresponding to many of the parts shown
-16-
in Figure 1. It will be seen, however, that Figures 2 to
12 inclusive schematically represent a different organiza-
tion and arrangement of a number of the structural features
and devices employed~ Svme of the significant differences
are discussed just below.
As will be seen in the isometric schematic view ~ .
of Figure 2 and in Figures 5 and 6, the fiber-receiving
chamber 100 overlies the fiber-collecting conveyor 180 and
the fiber-receiving chamber has upward extensions lOOa in
the region of each one of the guides 168 to 17~, with the
fiberizing equipment associated with these guides arranged
at the upper portion of each extension. Portions of two
such upward extensions are generally indicated in schematic
outline in Figure 6 and it will be seen that adjacent exten-
sions lOOa are spaced from each other sufficiently to accom- -
modate an operator, as is indicated, so that the operator
will have access to certain adjustable equipment to be de-
scribed.
' ~
As in Figure 1, suction chambers 16 are arranged . ;:
under the fiber-collecting run of the conveyor 180, and
these chambers are connected by ducts 17 with the cyclone
separators 18. Exhaust fans 19 draw the gases from the
suction chamber 16 through the cyclone separators 18 and ;~
-17- ;
` -~` 1115S~3
deliver the gases, after separation of liquids carried in
suspension, into the duct 34 provided for recirculation
of the gases. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 6,
the recirculating gas stream is subdivided into separate
portions and reintroduced into the system at different points.
Thus, the branch ducts 34a and 34b extend laterally from
the principal duct 34, and as best seen in Figures 2 and
3, the continuation of the duct 34 toward the left in those
figures includes a U-shaped section 34c which delivers a
portion of the recirculating gases directly into the end
of the chamber 10~ upstream of the series of fiberizing
stations.
Baffles 132 are also provided to uniformly dis-
tribute the gas flow into the chamber 100. Adjustable vanes
101 in the duct 34c provide for control of the proportion
of the gases delivered directly to the end of the chamber
100 and to the region of the fiber guides 168-17~. Control
of the gas distribution between these two regions is impor-
tant as it may be used to in~luence the general character
of the fiber blanket, especially with respect to the orienta-
tion of the fibers. Increase in the opening of the vanes
with consequent increase in the amount of the gases deliv-
ered into the end of chamber 100 tends to increase orienta-
tion of the fibers lengthwise of the conveyor 180. On the
other hand, decrease in the opening of the vanes 101 with
consequent increase o~ the amount of the gases delivered
to the region of the fiber guides 168-172 tends to increase
the transverse orientation of fibers.
-18-
SS~;~
:,
A stack or offtake flue ST is provided and may
be connected with the duct 34 through the normally closed
vanes 34d. A normally closed vent gate 34e (see Figure
2) is also provided. It is contemplated that for safety
purposes the gate 34e and the vanes 34d may be opened, in
which event air will enter the duct 34 past the gate 34e
and the gases will be discharged through the stack ST instead
of being recirculated.
As best seen in Figure 6, the gases which flow
into the branch duct 34a are delivered through apertures
adjacent to the upper or inlet end of the adjacent guide,
Figure 6 illustrating this relationship with respect to
the fiber guide indicated by the numeral 168. At the upper
end of the guide 168, the guide is shaped to avoid turbu
lence in the Elow, and the gases from this source enter
the upper end of the guide in part by induction which tends
to be set up b~ the blasts and jets cooperating with guide
168. Only one blast generator 154 and one jet generator
148 is shown in Figure 6, but it will be understood that
these devices are arranged in multiples as is indicated
schematically at a to f in Figures 2 and 3~ Such multiple
arrangement is also shown in Figure 15B of our prior appli~
cation 196,120.
With further reference to Figure 6, it will be
seen that some of the gases flowing through the branch duct
34b are also delivered through apertures into the region
; ~:
';
of the upper or entrance end of the guide 168 whiah i5 sim-
ilarly enlarged to minimize turbulent flow. This wall further
preferably includes an adjustable movable wall section 168a
pivoted at 168b and provided with an adjustable screw device
168c having a handle projecting into the space between adja-
cent extensions 100a of the receiving chamber, so that an
operator may adjust the position of this wall section.
Preferably such a wall section, separately adjustable, is
provided in alignment with each of the fiberizing stations
a to f, thereby providing control over the fiber distribu-
tion, as is described more fully hereinafter~ One or more
access doors may be provided so that an operator may readily
observe the operating conditions and may also have service
access to portions of the equipment at the fiberizing centers.
From further reference to Figure 6, it will be
seen that each of the branch ducts 34a and 34b is provided
with additional openings for delivery of some of the gases
adjacent the opposite sides of the duct 168 in the spaces
provided within the upward chamber extension 100a, th2se
portions of the ~ases flowing downwardly into the main part
of the chamber 100 adjacent to the lower or discharge end
of the guide 168.
Toward its lower end, at least one wall of the
guide 168 is also desirably provided with a flexible or
deflectable section 168d, with an adjustable screw 168e
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5~
by which the operator may adjust the position of the flexible
wall and thereby effect further control over fiber distribu-
tion in the manner described hereinafter.
Referring now to Figures 7 to 12 inclusive which
schematically illustrate certain aspects to the fiber dis-
tribution control provided with the adjustable features
above described, it is first noted that Figures 7 and 8
each indicate in outline the guide 168, the upper or inlet
end of the guide being presented toward the top of these
figures and the discharge end toward the bottom thereof.
It will here be seen that six pivoted wall sections 168a
are indicated, these being respectively aligned with the
fiberizing zones of a to f. Each one of these wall sections
is, of course, pivotally mounted and adjustable in the manner
described above with reference to Figure 6. At times, fiberiza-
tion or fiber distribution may develop some lack of uniform-
ity across the width of the guide 168, as is illustrated
in the region of Figure 7 indicated by the arrow x. This
condition may be remedied and the fibers more uniformly
distributed across the width of the guide by adjustment
of the pivoted wall section 168a lying in the path indi-
cated by the let-ter x in Figure 7. The adjustment to cor~
rect would conform with that shown in Figures 6 and 8, in
which the gas flow passage from the duct 34b is reduced
in the zone where the fibers are not sufficiently concen-
trated. The result of this is that additional fibers flowing
-21-
in the adjacent zones will flow into the zone where the
fiber concentration is insufficient, this action being sche-
matically represented by various flow lines and arrows applied
to Figure 8.
In instances where the fiber concentration is
insufficient toward one edge of the guide, as compared with
the other edge, (for instance toward the right as compared
with the left when viewed as in Figure 9) the flexible wall
section 168d may be adjusted to an inclined position by :
means of the adjustment screws 168e. The nature of this
adjustment will be clear from the schematic illustration
of Figures ll and 12. The effect of this adjustment is
to cause some of the fiber flow to shift frQm the left toward ~ :~
the right as viewed in Figures ll and 12, this shift being
schematically indicated by the flow lines in Figure lO. :
::;
From the foregoing, it will be seen that the arrange- ::
ment of the present application provides for effective and
extensive suppression of pollution originating from glass ~:
fiber blanket manufacturing plants, especially plants utiliz- ~.
ing toration fo~ fiber production as herein disclosed. ~:
' ;.`
The manner of recirculating the gases present
in and around the fiber equipment is advantageously util-
ized, particularly by dividing the recirculating gas stream
into portions which are reintroduced at different points
, ~; ..
~22-
:;
.
.
;5~2~
in the system, thereby increasing the uniformity of fiber
distribution in the blanket being made. Tendencies for
inaccuracy in fiber distribution may be corrected by adjust- ~:
able equipment readily accessible to an operator during
the fiber production operation.
In connection with various of the devices of the
pollution suppression equipment, for instance the units
shown in Figure 1 at 39, 105, 106, 108, 109 and 113, it
is pointed out that further information concerning the pol-
lution suppression equipment may be found in our copending '
application Serial No. 210,777. ..
';
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