Regenerators packings are truly the lungs of the glass furnace. They decisively influence furnace performance and the quality of the glass produced.

Since 1973 Saint-Gobain SEFPRO has developed successive generations of innovative electrofused solution using the CRUCIFORMS® product range which enable each glassmaker to design his own personalised regenerator packing for every type of glass.

THE KEY TO HIGH PERFORMANCE REGENERATORS

CRUCIFORMS® checker performance actively participates in lowering production cost :

• Thermal efficiency results in both fuel savings and lower fume volume
  
• The good resistance to physico-chemical attacks assures stable operating conditions and high quality glass. Therefore glassmakers can maintain regular production
  
• Sustained thermal characteristics over time reinforce fuel savings and also facilitate a rapid return to previous fuel setting after changes in glass colour, composition or pull rates
  
• High resistance to corrosion avoids intermediate repairs
  
• Reduced risk of plugging enhances performance stability and lowers maintenance
  In addition to supplying the features described above, CRUCIFORMS® product regenerator ensures rapid and reliable assembly.

THE RANGE OF CRUCIFORMS® FAMILY

All CRUCIFORMS® products are electrically melted refractory products cast in metal moulds and are available in three material :

• ER 5312 RX electrofused alumina has a very high resistance to alkali attack and is used to extend service life at the top part of the packing
  
• ER 1682 RX electrofused AZS with 30% ZrO2 is employed in the middle and the bottom part of the packing to prevent any reaction with sodium sulphates condensation
  
• ER 1621 RX electrofused AZS with 15% ZrO2 is mainly used in middle operating condition like the downstream chambers of cross fired furnaces or the cold chambers of multi-pass regenerator.
  

Each CRUCIFORMS® models or types are distinguished by their size, their thickness and the type of surface, whether smooth or corrugated :

• Type 2 CRUCIFORMS®, in addition to being 40 mm thick, offer the ability to adapt the flue size from 130 to 170 mm to better fit the chamber dimensions. Therefore Type 2 are used for local reinforcement of heavy-wear zones, such as the top part of packings subject to high carry-over or the condensation zones for corrosion glass.

• Type 3 CRUCIFORMS® have a reduced thickness of 30 mm with flue size from 140 to 180 mm. They provides a large specific exchange surface and therefore increased thermal efficiency. Type 3 are used for the bottom area of soda-lime glass furnaces packing where they provide a better thermal performance than Type 4.
  
• Type 4 CRUCIFORMS® have a unique corrugated shape to optimise the convection heat exchange in the middle ant top area of regenerator packings. In combination with Type 3 or Type 6, Type 4 provide the optimum packing design for soda-lime glass furnaces.
  
• Type 6 CRUCIFORMS® are specifically design with large flue size to reduce the risk of plugging in the sulphate condensation zone. The Type 6 flue size from 320 to 350 mm are compatible with the use of Type 4 in the upper part of the packing.
  

For the dismantling of end-of-campaign furnaces and for the processing of used refractory linings, visit : valoref.com