The glassy nature of Calumite, combined with it’s chemical composition, leads to faster melting when Calumite is used in the glass batch. As a result, the energy required to melt a Calumite containing batch is lower than a corresponding non-Calumite batch.
Depending on the specific requirements of the glassmaker at the time, this can be used to:
- Reduced energy consumption
- Increase furnace pull
- Reduce furnace temperatures
Reduced energy consumption
The faster melting with Calumite allows furnace energy consumption to be reduced whilst maintaining glass quality.
The level of energy saving may vary depending upon specific furnace conditions, however based on our experience of implementing Calumite in numerous furnaces, energy savings are typically between 0.25 and 0.36% energy saving per 1% Calumite addition. Therefore for 10% Calumite addition, this would be an energy saving of between 2.5% and 3.6%.
Increase furnace pull
A specific benefit of using Calumite is the ability to increase furnace pull when a furnace is running at what would previously have been thought to be maximum capacity. During periods of high demand, when the furnace is at maximum capacity, addition of Calumite could increase furnace pull, with energy input and furnace temperatures remaining constant.
Reduce furnace temperatures
The faster melting with Calumite means that furnace temperatures can be reduced without impacting glass quality. This can be particularly useful at the end of a furnace campaign if refractories are in poor condition and crown temperatures must be reduced.