Title of Invention

PROCESS AND DEVICE FOR FORMATION OF MINERAL WOOL AND MINERAL WOOL PRODUCTS

Abstract A method of making a glass fiber insulation product, characterized by: providing at least one glass material; melting the glass material; disposing said molten glass material in a spinner of the rotary cup type (1) having a plurality of spinner orifices (14); centrifuging the molten glass material through said plurality of spinner orifices (14) to form a multiplicity of glass streams (15); attenuating said glass streams (15) with a gas current adjacent the exterior of the spinner (1) to form glass fibers (10) having an average diameter of no greater than about 3.5 microns, said gas current being substantially provided by a burner (9) having a burner pressure of about 2,490-6,230 Pa (10-25 inches of water or 250-635 mm CE) preferably less than 5,730 Pa (23 inches of water or 580 mm CE), said burner having a pair of burner lip portions (54, 56) separated by a width of at least 8 mm preferably between 8.1 and 8.5 mm; combining the fibers (10) together with a resinous binder to form an insulation product having an ASTM C 686 parting strength of at least about 100 gf/g, and exhibiting a substantial recovery of its nominal thickness following compression; and wherein the spinner of the rotary cup type (1) of step (c) and (d) has a peripheral band which is perforated with orifices (14) distributed in a plurality of annual zones (ZA) arranged on top of each other with the centrifuge in centrifugation position, and which includes at least two annular zones (ZA1, ZA2) whose number of orifices per unit of surface area (NS1, NS2) differs by a value greater than or equal to 5%, in particular greater than or equal to 10%, and even 20%, and in that the annular zone containing the greatest number of orifices per unit of surface area is located below the other annular zone, assuming that the spinner is in centrifugation position.
Full Text PROCESS AND DEVICE FOR FORMATION OF MINERAL WOOL
AND MINERAL WOOL PRODUCTS
The invention relates to techniques for formation of mineral fibers or other
thermoplastic materials through the process of internal centrifugation combined with
drawing by a gaseous current at high temperature. It applies in particular to the
industrial production of glass wool intended to be used, for example, in the
composition of thermal and/or acoustic insulation products.
Small diameter fibers of glass and other thermoplastic materials have been
used in a variety of applications including acoustical or thermal insulation materials.
When small diameter glass fibers are assembled into a web, (referred to
interchangeably herein as a "blanket," "batt" or "wool pack"), glass fibers which
individually lack strength or stiffness can be resin-bonded, and formed into a batt
which is quite strong, lightweight, highly compressible and resilient. Insulation batts
can be faced with paper or plastic, or unfaced.
The fiber-formation process to which the invention relates consists of feeding
a thin stream of molten glass to a centrifuge, also called a fiberization spinner, turning
at high speed and perforated on its periphery by a very large number of orifices
through which glass is sprayed in the form of filaments under the action of centrifugal
force. These filaments are then subjected to the action of a high-temperature and
high-speed annular drawing current along the wall of the centrifuge. This current thins
them down and transforms them into fibers. The fibers formed are carried along by
this gaseous drawing current towards a receiving mechanism generally consisting of
a gas-permeable strip. A binder required to bond the fibers into a wool product is
sprayed onto the fibers as they are drawn downward. The fibers are then collected
and formed into a batt. This process is known as "internal centrifugation,"
The centrifugal blast, attenuation glass fiberization technique, generally
described above, has been used commercially for many years in the production of
glass fiber building insulation batts and blankets, and a substantial percentage of
glass fiber insulation manufactured at the present time is produced utilizing this
technique. Details of various forms of this process are disclosed, for example, in U.S.
Pat Nos. RE 24,708; 2,984,864; 2,991,507; 3,007,196; 3,017,663; 3,020,586;
3,084,381; 3,084,525; 3,254,977; 3,304,164; 3,819,345; 4,203,774; 4,759,974; and
5,743,932, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
This process has undergone several improvements, some of them relating in
particular to the fiberization spinner, others to the means of generating the annular
drawing current, using a specific type of burner, for example. See in particular EP-B-0
189 354, EP-B-0 519,797; WO 97/15532 concerning this last point.
Glass fiberization is extremely complex and requires the balancing of a large
number of variable parameters. Many of the details of known techniques will not be
repeated herein, reference, instead, being made to the above patents for such
disclosures. However, certain limited aspects of the prior art will be considered,
especially those concerning the present invention.
In the centrifugal blast attenuation process, the burner pressure, as well as the
attenuating gas speed proximate to the spinner wall are important to an optimization
of the fiber attenuation. Spinner design and operation are also important factors,
particularly in view of the relatively short life of current spinner designs and the
extremely high cost of spinner replacement
Concerning the fiberization spinner, patent FR 1,382,917 (application February
27, 1963) describes a fiberization device whose principle is still widely used: the
molten material is led to a basket whose vertical wall contains orifices through which
the material is sprayed onto the wall of a turning body, attached to the basket, and
contains a great many orifices. This wall is called the "band" of the fiberization
spinner. In order to obtain good quality fiberization the orifices are distributed in
annular rows and the diameters of the orifices vary according to the row to which they
belong, with this diameter decreasing from the top of the band to the bottom.
In the context of the invention, the "top" of the centrifuge is defined in reference
to the centrifuge in cenirifugation position, i.e. according to a substantially vertical
axis (of rotation).
The spinners used in early centrifugal blast attenuation equipment were typically
of a diameter of about 200 mm and had a peripheral wall which typically included
4,000-6,000 holes through which the molten glass passed to form the primary glass
streams subjected to attenuation by the annular blast. It was perceived that there
were practical limits to the pull rate per spinner orifice for maintaining acceptable fiber
quality, the maximum rate per orifice ranging between about 0.9 and 1.4 Kg/day.
Nonetheless, the economic demands for increasing production of a given line usually
resulted in an increase in pull rate despite the deterioration in product quality.
In an effort to increase the output of a spinner of given diameter, the number of
holes in the peripheral wall of the spinner has been increased to about 23,000, and
the spinner diameter has been increased to about 400-600 mm. See U.S. 4,759,974.
Although some increase in the pull rate has been achieved, there are long
established beliefs in the industry that there are practical limits to orifice density
increases controlled by factors such as the necessity of maintaining discrete glass
streams emerging from the periphery of the spinner and other potential
manufacturing problems.
Improvements have been made to this basic principle, as shown in particular
in patent FR 2,443,436 where mechanisms make it possible to obtain a laminar flow
of the molten material from the top to the bottom of the spinner band.
A further important factor is the fineness (average diameter) of the fibers. It
is well established that for a given density of a blanket, the finer the fibers, the greater
the thermal resistance of the layer. An insulating product comprising finer fibers can
accordingly be thinner with the same insulating value as a thicker product of coarser
fibers. Or, likewise, a product of finer fibers can be less dense than one of coarse
fibers of the same thickness and have the same insulating value.
In the shipping and packaging of insulation batt and blanket products, high
compressibility is preferred. It is desirable to compress the batt for shipping and then
have it recover rapidly and reliably to the desired size. Current batt insulation
products are limited in the amount of compression possible while still attaining
adequate recovery. When the product is compressed, the binder holds firm while the
fibers themselves flex. As the stress upon the fibers increases due to excessive
compression, the fibers break. When fibers break, cracks typically initiate at locations
of "stress-rising defects", such as cracks, blemishes, or other weak points in the fiber
material. The smaller the fiber diameter, the faster a crack can propagate from a
stress-rising defect through the cross-section and lead to breakage.
White finer fibers have been deemed desirable for their economic and
insulating efficiencies, modem centrifugal Wast techniques have not been able to
produce a blanket having an average fiber diameter of much less than 3.9 microns
without unacceptably reducing the ability of such a blanket to recovery from
compression. While not being committed to any one theory, it is believed that current
spinner and burner designs limit artisans from making finer fibers without incurring
a high number of stress-rising defects in the fibers. These small cracks and
imperfections generally prevent the blanket or batt made with small fibers from
recovering an acceptable amount of its original thickness. Accordingly, there remains
a need in the industry for fiber insulation products, such as batts and blankets, which
contain fibers of less than 4 micrometers in average diameter, but which also provide
adequate recovery after being compressed, such as when packaged in a roll or a
polymer film. There also remains a need in the insulation industry for a centrifugal
blast attenuation process for producing higher strength, finer glass and polymer
fibers.
Thus the goal of the invention is to improve the device and the process of
fiberization through internal centrifugation of mineral fibers. This improvement
focuses in particular on the quality of the fibers obtained and on an increase in the
yield of the process.
In accordance with this object, fibers can be produced within a less aggressive
fiber attenuating environment so as to enable small diameter fibers of less than 3.5
microns to be used in insulation products, without sacrificing high quality or
acceptable recovery after compression. In a further embodiment of the methods of
this invention, a glass material is provided, which is melted and disposed in a spinner
. The glass material is centrifuged through a plurality of its orifices to form a
multiplicity of glass streams. The glass streams are attenuated with a gas current
adjacent the exterior of the spinner to form glass fibers having an average diameter
of no greater than 3.5 microns. The gas current is produced by a burner internal
pressure of no greater than about 10-25 (niches water) (250-635 mm CE "colonne
d'eau"), and preferably less than 23 (inches water) (580 mm CE). These small fibers
are then combined with a resin to form an insulation product having an ASTM C 686
parting strength of at least about 100g/g, which exhibits a substantial recovery of its
nominal thickness following compression.
Compared with current insulation products, such as insulation batt made with
glass fibers having an average diameter of about 3.9 microns or greater, the present
insulation products have a cotton-like touch feel which does not cause noticeable
itching or irritation when in contact with human skin. As used herein, "insulation
products" include unlaced ami faced batts, blankets and rolls. Insulation products
desirably include a resinous binder, but this is not always required, so long as the
product has some cohesiveness, and is not a loose fill insulation product. Insulation
products can be used for composite reinforcement, sound insulation and may be
compressed or rendered board-like by adding additional materials. Certain
embodiments of this invention, when compared to conventional batt insulation
products, can provide up to 10% higher thermal-insulating performance for the same
density, or at least about a 20% reduction in density for the same insulating
performance or R-value. These innovative products also produce an enormous
amount of cost savings over similar R-value commercial batts, due to smaller glass
material costs.
In another example of this invention, a glass fiber insulation product is produced
by melting a glass material and centrifuging ft through a plurality of spinner orifices
to form a plurality of glass streams. The glass streams are then attenuated with a
gas current into glass fibers having an average diameter of no greater than about 3.5
microns, followed by combining the fibers together into an insulation product having
the following characteristics: an ASTM C 686 parting strength of at least about 100
g/g; an ASTM C 167 product gram weight of about 70-100 g/R2; and an ASTM C167
thickness recovery of about equivalent to, or better than, that of an insulation product
having substantially similar external dimensions made from glass fibers having an
average diameter of about 3.9 microns, with less cutting and floor dust than a 3.9
micron average diameter product.
The preferred methods of using centrifugal, blast attenuation, glass fiberization
techniques described in this disclosure employ such improvements as more spinner
orifices for providing more and smaller initial glass streams and/or tower fiber
attenuating hot gas speeds, preferably using conventional combustion air and glass
flow rates. It is believed that these techniques make the fiber attenuation more gentle
and greatly reduce shocks to the glass fibers so that they are less fragile, even when
produced in very small fiber diameters formally not employed in the manufacture of
glass fiber batt and roll insulation.
A preferred method uses a device provided by the invention for internal
centrifugation of mineral fibers including a centrifuge equipped with a peripheral band
perforated with orifices distributed over a plurality of annular zones arranged on top
of each other (assuming that the centrifuge is in centrtfugation position) which
includes at least two annular zones where the number of orifices per unit of surface
area (NS) differs by an amount greater than or equal to 5%, in particular greater than
or equal to 10%, and even 20%.
In a preferred method of realizing the invention, the annular zone containing the
greatest number of orifices per unit of surface area is located below another annular
zone containing a lower average number of orifices per unit of surface area,
assuming that the centrifuge is in fiberization position.
The term "annular zone" is used to define a zone of the band of the centrifuge
contained between two perpendicular planes of the axis (of rotation) of the centrifuge.
In the context of the invention, such an annular zone is defined as a region where the
number of orifices per unit or surface area is substantially constant over the entire
part of the periphery of the band contained in the said annular zone.
The number of orifices per unit of surface area, NS, is defined as the number
of orifices contained in an element of the surface of the annular zone, in particular on
the order of a square centimeter, in relation to the surface area of this element of the
surface. The number of orifices per unit of surface area is considered to be
substantially constant if it varies by less than 0.5% over all of the elements of surface
of a single annular zone. An annular zone may include a single orifice per vertical
segment, but it usually contains several of them, in particular from 4 to 15. The term
"vertical segment" refers to a part of the annular zone limited on the vertical axis by
each of the planes defined above, as long as an average of only one orifice on a
horizontal axis is observed there, assuming that the centrifuge is in fiberization
position.
Mineral fibers are conventionally manufactured with a centrifuge where the
number of orifices per unit of surface area is constant over the entire height of the
centrifuge band. In fact, a conventional centrifuge is perforated through electrical
discharge machining, wife a comb composed of electrodes distributed in line where
th3 pitch between electrodes is constant. After simultaneous perforation of orifices
in a vertical column, the comb is moved to carry out the perforation of the next
column, after moving the comb along the band by a distance corresponding to the
horizontal gap between the center of consecutive holes.
This technique permits very precise perforation and the variations in the number
of orifices per unit of surface area are extremely low, specifically less than 1 per one
thousand.
A conventional centrifuge generally contains between 2000 and 40,000 orifices,
specifically for average diameters of the centrifuge of 200 min to 800 mm,
respectively.
It has proven to be possible to Increase significantly the quality of the fiber mat,
in particular its mechanical properties, while obtaining a very significant reduction in
the consumption of energy, and thus the yield of the fiberization process, using a
device prepared according to the invention.
This effect is especially notable in that, at constant pull rate, it is known that
energy consumption decreases when the number of orifices for the same band height
increases, because the more the molten material is divided, the less energy is
required to draw it When the number of orifices is increased for the same band
height with a conventional centrifuge, however, the quality of the fiber mats produced
does not increase, and even tends to decrease, while with the device prepared
according to the invention it is possible to improve the properties of the products and
the yield of the process at the same time.
Recall that in the text, reference was made to a centrifuge observed in the
position of centrifugation, i.e., with the band, including the orifices, arranged in a
substantially vertical manner, around the axis along which the molten material is
carried during fiberization. The molten material is carried through the "top" of the
centrifuge in this position. The base of the centrifuge is substantially horizontal and
the annular zones are parallel to this base and are superimposed on each other in
this arrangement.
A preferred centrifuge according to the invention contains at least two
superimposed annular zones, the lower one having a greater number of orifices per
unit of surface area than the one located above it. In a preferred method of realization
the centrifuge includes at least three superimposed annular zones and each of these
zones includes a greater number of orifices per unit of surface area than the one in
the closest annular zone located above the annular zone considered.
According to a preferred method of realization the orifices of each zone are
grouped in rows, with a diameter of orifice (d) substantially constant in each annular
zone and decreasing from one annular zone to another, from the top to the bottom
of the peripheral band of the centrifuge in centrifugation position.
In the invention, it is also advantageous that at least two adjacent rows have
orifices of different diameters, and more specifically, that the rows have, from the top
to the bottom of the peripheral band, decreasing diameters of orifices (generally all
orifices of a single row have the same diameter). Thus one can anticipate, from the
top to the bottom, n row(s) of orifices of a given diameter then p row(s) or orifices of
a smaller diameter, then t row(s) of orifices of a still smaller diameter, etc. with n, p
and t =1.
For example, one could have a first annular zone, ZA1, consisting of n rows a
second, ZA2, consisting of p rows, and a third, ZA3, consisting of t rows.
By thus establishing a sort of decreasing "gradient" in the size of orifices from
top to bottom, an improvement in the quality of fiberization has been observed. Thus
it has been possible to reduce the differences in the way in which filaments coming
from the highest rows were fiberized in relation to those from the lowest: this
"gradient" permits a development of primary filaments exiting the orifices and a
drawing process that limits crossing of trajectories, and thus impact, between the
fibers being drawn from different rows of orifices, hence the improved quality
observed.
This configuration is especially adapted to the production of less dense mineral
wools.
In certain cases, on the other hand, one wants to encourage impact between
fibers in order to reduce their length. These cases correspond to the production of
dense mineral wools, particularly suitable for panels used in roofing. In these cases
one could, for example, alternate the size of the orifices from one zone to another,
and one can thus anticipate, from the top to the bottom, n row(s) of orifices of a given
diameter, then p row(s) of orifices of a greater diameter, then t row(s) of orifices of a
diameter smaller than those of the orifices of the row located above, etc.
It would be advantageous to have the rows spaced apart from each other by a
distance between 1 and 2 mm, in particular from 1.2 to 1.8 mm, with preferably a
pitch from one row to another of 1 to 2 mm, for example 1.2 to 1.6.
Preferably, the diameter (d) of at least a part of the orifices of the centrifuge is
at the most 1.5 to 1.2 mm. in particular from 1.1 to 0.5 mm, for example between 0.9
and 0.7 mm.
According to another method of realization of the preferred device according to
the invention, the distance, D, between the centers of the neighboring orifices closest
to a single annular zone is substantially constant over all of a single annular zone and
this distance, D, varies from one zone to another by at least 3%, or even at least 5%
and even 10% or more, and decreases from top to bottom, assuming that the
centrifuge is in fiberization position.
Preferably the distance, D, is between 0.8 and 3 mm, for example between 1
and 2 mm and even between 1.4 and 1.8 mm.
It would be advantageous that the preferred centrifuge according to the
invention be chosen with an average diameter, DM, less than or equal to 800 mm,
in particular at least 200 mm.
The preferred centrifuge is preferably devoided of a bottom in its lowest part.
According to this method of realization, the centrifuge is joined with a basket in which
the molten glass spreads, preferably joined by mechanical assembling.
According to a preferred method of realization, the preferred device according
to the invention includes at least one mechanism of generating a high-temperature
gaseous drawing jet in the form of an annular burner, in particular as described in the
patents EP 0189 354 and EP 0 519 797 by the applicant.
It would be advantageous that the annular burner be a tangential burner which
includes a mechanism of giving the gaseous drawing jet a tangential component in
relation to the outer horizontal edge of the centrifuge, fa particular as described in
patent EP 0 189 354 by the applicant.
Thus it is possible to obtain an inclination angle of the gaseous drawing jet in
relation to the axis of the burner.
It is also possible to use a heating mechanism internal" to the centrifuge, of the
internal burner type. This may play different roles, in particular terminating the
thermal conditioning of the molten glass in the "basket" of the centrifuge (term
explained below, using the figures), maintaining at an appropriate temperature the
glass reserve in the centrifuge in order to continuously remeit-the fibers which are
susceptible to adhering to the external walls of the centrifuge.
It may be advantageous to combine the "external" heating method, of the
annular inductor type, with this internal heating method; this also permits better
control of the temperature of the glass reserve and the remetting of the adhered
fibers. In fact, it has been observed that, generally, at low pull rates it was sufficient
simply to have recourse to an internal burner, while at high pull rates, the annular
inductor proved to be necessary, and the possible addition of the internal burner is
beneficial.
When using the here above mentioned preferred centrifuge, it is advantageous
that the hot gaseous drawing be accomplished by an annular burner whose
parameters of operation may be selected as follows.
- preferably, it is possible to regulate the temperature of the gases leaving the
burner to at least 1350°C, in particular at least 1400°C and, for example, between
1400 and 1500°C, in particular between 1430 and 1470°C. The temperature is then
adjusted according to the type of composition of the mineral fibers, in particular
according to its viscosimetric behavior,
- it is advantageous to regulate the speed of the gases exiting the burner to
at least 200 m/s, measured just at the exit of the lips of the burner, in particular at
values between 200 and 295 m/s,
One can have recourse to an inductor to heat the lowest zone of the centrifuge
and avoid or limit the creation of a temperature gradient over the height of the
centrifuge.
Fibers with fewer stress-rising defects in their surfaces and cross-sections are
thought to be more resillient under compression, resulting in higher thickness recovery
measurements than would be expected in resin-bonded batts having fibers of 3.5
microns, or less in average diameter. Accordingly, products made with these
processes are ideal for the high compression storage and transportation needs of
modem insulation product packaging.
The Invention will be detailed below using non-restrictive examples illustrated
by the following figures:
FIG. 1: a partial view of the centrifugation device according to the invention,
FIG. 2: is a schematic plan view snowing a plurality of spinners of this invention
arranged over a conveyor;
FIG. 3: is a schematic side elevational view of the spinner arrangement of FIG.
2:
FIG. 4: a partial view of the preferred centrifuge according to the invention,
FIG. 5: is a graphical depiction of average fiber diameter vs. numerical
percentage of each fiber size in the product, representing a preferred fiber spectrum
for an insulation product of this invention which employs a 2.1 micron average fiber
diameter;
FIG. 6: is a graphical depiction of R-value variations versus average fiber
diameter for a typical commercial batt insulation product and a high performance batt
insulation product produced in accordance with this invention; and
FIG. 7: is a graphical depiction of density variation versus fiber average
diameter for a typical commercial batt insulation product and a high performance batt
insulation product produced in accordance with this invention.
For the purposes of this specification, use of the term "glass" is intended to
include any of the glass mineral materials, such as rock, slag and basalt, as well as
traditional glasses such as, for example, E-glaas, S-glass, C-glass, E-CR-glass, A-
glass, A.R. glass (alkali- resistant, L-glass (lead), D-glass (dielectric), M-glass (high-
modulus), with commercial C-glass being the most preferred. While glass material
is preferred, this invention has useful application to "thermoplastic materials" which,
in addition to glass and other mineral fibers, include polymeric materials, such as
polyester, polyethylene and polypropylene fibers. It is expected that both polymer
and glass fibers could be used simultaneously in the insulation products of this
invention. And finally, although uniform straight fibers can be used herein, this
invention also contemplates the use of "irregular fibers', such as, hollow, kinked, and
curly fibers, and fibers having irregular or different cross-sectiona! sizes and/or
geometries, such as, for example, small and large round, round and triangular,
irregular and round, square and hoHow, kinked and round, etc. Such irregular shapes
and geometries are known to produce a more uniform lattice structure and volume
filling, which allows for higher recovery ratios after being compressed, independent
of the number of defects in the fibers themselves. Irregular shaped fibers also
reduce irritation, and may make the product less dusty. "Irregularity" can also be
produced by using more than one molten glass composition having differing
coefficients of thermal expansion, differing melting points, differing viscosities, or
differing mechanical strengths, used in all the fibers simultaneously, or alternatively
among different fiber groups.
It is further understood that the insulation products of this invention can be
encapsulated within an exterior plastic layer as disclosed by Schelhom et al., U.S.
Patent No. 5,277,955. which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The
insulation products of the invention can be, for example, seated, packed or rolled.
Figure 1 thus represents a partial view of a system of internal centrifugation
using hot gas drawing adapted based on those known from prior art and described,
in particular, in patents EP 91 866, EP 189 354 and EP 519 797, which can be
referred to for more details on the general aspects of mis method of fiberization.
The system includes a spinner or centrifuge 1 attached to a shaft 2. The shaft
and the centrifuge are animated by a movement of rapid rotation using an engine not
pictured. The shaft 2 is hollow ana the glass: in the molten state flows from the
feeding mechanism not represented in shaft 2 up to the "basket" 3 in which the
molten glass spreads. The basket 3 is also carried along by rotation such that the
molten glass is sprayed onto the peripheral wall 4 which is perforated with orifices
and, from there, in the form of voluminous glass streams 6 on the peripheral wail 7,
usually named "band" of the centrifuge 1, which will form on this wall a permanent
reserve of motten glass to supply the circular orifices 14 perforated into said wall. This
watt 7 is inclined by about 5 to 10° in relation to the vertical. Of very many circular
orifices 14 arranged in rows, are coming out the flow cones 8 extending into pre-
fibers 15, projected into the annular gaseous current emitted from the burner 9.
Under the effect of this current, these pre-fibers stretch, their terminal portion
generating discontinuous fibers 10 which are then collected under the centrifuge.
The system also contains a blowing column 11 which creates a "cloud of gas"
surrounding the annular gas current generated by the burner 9. There is also an
option to use an induction current ring 12 under the centrifuge 1 and/or an internal
burner not pictured.
Under the standard conditions, the gap between the lines passing through the
center of two parallel rows of orifices, termed the pitch, is constant over the entire
height of the band. Under these conditions, the distance between the centers of
neighboring orifices in the same row is also constant
Thus, in a standard centrifuge, the number of orifices per unit of surface area
is constant over the entire surface of the band.
Under standard operating conditions, such a device permits obtaining fibers of
an average diameter of at least 2 microns, particularly about 3 to 12 microns.
As discussed hereinafter, the number, size and density of the spinner orifices
14, as well as the attenuation gas parameters are important to the fiberizing of high
strength, small fibers less than about 3.5 microns in average dimension, and
preferably less titan about 3.0 rnicrons in average diameter. Such fibers are desirably
distributed in insulation products, such that at least about 40%, and preferably about
50-75% of the fibers have a cross-sectional dimension or diameter which is less than
the average diameter or dimension targeted. A typical distribution for a 2.1 average
diameter, glass fiber, batt insulation product made in accordance with the principles
of this invention is described below in Table 1.
Table 1: Fiber Spectrums (2.1 micron ave. diameter sample)
A "burner" such as an electric resistance heater, waste gas recycled supply,
coal, gas or fuel on furnace or burner, pressurized air, steam, or any gaseous result
of combustion products, can be used io provide a gas current. It is expected,
however, that a annular internal combustion burner 9 of substantially conventional
construction be disposed above the wall of the spinner in this preferred embodiment.
The burner 9 includes an annual blast nozzle 64 spaced above the spinner peripheral
wall 7 so as to preferably direct an annual blast downwardly adjacent to the
peripheral wall 7 to intercept and attenuate the multiplicity of glass pre-fibers 15
issuing from the orifices 14. The burner 9 includes a preferred metal casing
enveloping a refractory liner defining an annual combustion chamber into which an
air-fuel mixture is introduced at inlet. The blast nozzle communicates with the
combustion chamber and is formed by inner and outer nozzle lips 54 and 56. The
blast nozzle lips 54 and 56 respectively include preferred internal cooling channels
into which a cooling liquid such as water is introduced by inlet for circulation to an
outlet.
In accordance with the main important aspect of the invention, the outer nozzle
lips 54 and 56 are spaced at a set distance from one another, as shown in FIG. 1, to
provide a less aggressive fiber attenuating environment from conventional
combustion air and gas flow rates of conventionally employed burners. Such can be
achieved by slightly spreading the burner lips width from about 7.7 mm to greater
than about 8.0 mm, and preferably about 8.1 -8.5 mm, which reduces the attenuating
hot gas speed even though the air flow and gas flow into the burner are not
significantly changed from conventional ranges. For example, if a conventional burner
employs a burner lips width of about 7.7mm, an air flow rate of 64,958 ft3/hr. (1840
m3/h) and a gas flow rate 4.038 ft3/hr. (114 m3/h), as shown in Table 2 below, the
burner of this invention could reduce the gas current flow rate, even with the
equivalent air and gas flow rates, (67,600 ft3/hr) (1915 m3/h) and 4,000 ft3/hr. (113
m3/h), respectively) by increasing the burner lips width to about 8.2mm. This can be
verified by the burner inside pressure, which is known, through experimentation, to
be reduced from about 21.8 inches water (555 mm CE) to about 18.8 (inches water)
(480 mm CE)for 2.9 micron fibers, and about 21.6 (inches water) (550mm CE) for 2.1
micron fibers. This is unexpected, since it was earlier believed that increasing burner
pressure and blast velocity to achieve greater attenuation was the only adequate
means to produce finer fibers. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,974; Col. 7, lines 49-57. Of
course, lowering the air flow rate, gas flow rate, increasing the size of the combustion
chamber, and/or decreasing the amount or rate of combustion, will also have an
impact on lowering the attenuating gas speed, and should be considered the practical
equivalent of increasing the burner lips width. All of these gas current speed
adjustment techniques can be used together or separately. Comparative examples
are given in Table 2 and illustrate these unexpected results.
(1) This glass pull rate is to keep the equivalent production capacity in
square feet with the product density reduction.
(2) Estimated data.
(3) Gram Weight and Thickness Recovery: ASTM C 167 - Standard Test
Methods for Thickness and Density of Blanket or Batt Thermal Insulations
(4) Thermal conductivity: ASTM C 518 - Standard Test Method for Steady-
State Heat Flux Measurements and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus and ASTM C 653 - Standard Guide for Determination
of the Thermal Resistance of Low-Density Blanket-Type Mineral Fiber Insulation.
(5) Parting Strength: ASTM CSP686 - Standard Test Method for Parting
Strength of Mineral Firebatt and Blanket-Type Insulation (also, CertainTeed Test
Method T-502 Parting Strength of Mineral Insulation Batts and Blankets)
(6) Cutting, Floor and frying Dust: Internal Procedure (Dust measurements
Using the Gullfiber Dust Shaking Machine, fibers are counted with a Phase Contrast
Optieal Microscope or Scanning Electron Microscope. A vacuum cleaner with an air
flow of 18m3/hr is used to collect knife and floor dust. The fibers are collected on a
glass fiber WHATMAN QF/A 70 mm fitter. A 37mm fitter is used for flying dust. All
filters are weighed before and alter collection. A 28cm knife is used, with a maximum
sample thickness of 150mm.).
(7) These results were obtained with the spinner IS-4 at glass pull rate of
14 MT/day on same production line.
In order to maintain the heat content of the spinner and fibers during
attenuation, an optional high frequency induction current ring 12 can be provided just
below the spinner in concentric relation thereto and having an internal diameter
somewhat larger than the spinner to avoid interference with the downward flow of
fibers entrained by the annular blast. An optional auxiliary blast can be generated by
an annular blowing crown €4 disposed outboard of the blast nozzle lips 54 and 56
and connected to a source of pressurized gas such as air, steam or combustion
products. The hollow shaft 2 preferably includes several fixed concentric internal
tubes. The innermost pair of these tubes defines an annular cooling passage through
which cooling water is circulated while the outermost pair define an annular passage
through which a combustible mixture can be passed and ignited to preheat the basket
3 prior to startup of the spinner. The fibers 41 generated by the spinner and the
gaseous blast pass downwardly into a receiving chamber or receiving hood 70 and
are deposited in the form of a blanket 71 on a foraminous conveyor 72 as shown
schematically in FIGS. 2 and 3. An optional suction box 74 beneath the conveyor 72
withdraws the high volume of gases passing through the conveyor in a conventional
manner. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of fiberizing stations each having a
spinner 20 are conventionally employed for the production of the blanket 71 and in
the preferred form of the invention are arranged in a line along the longitudinal axis
of the conveyor 72. The number of spinners 20 directing fibers onto a conveyor in
an industrial installation might typically be six to ten spinners or more.
For operation of the described apparatus, the centrifuge 1 including the basket
3 thereof, is preheated in a well known manner utilizing the combustion of gases
passing through shaft 2, the neat of the burner 9 and induction current ring 12 and
Similar supplemental sources as may be necessary. With the spinner rotating at a
predetermined speed and the burner 9 adjusted to provide a combustion chamber
pressure resulting in a blast velocity sufficient to provide the desired attenuation and
fineness of the fibers, the molten glass stream is introduced into the hollow spinner
shaft 2 from a forehearth or other source of motten glass disposed above the spinner
assembly. The stream of motten glass upon reaching the basket 3 flows along the
bottom of the basket under the influence of centrifugal force and passes through the
orifices of the basket 3 in the form of glass streams 6 which are directed onto the
upper portion of the spinner peripheral waif 7.
Under the influence of the stronger centrifugal force exerted at the wail 7, the
glass passes through the multiplicity of small orifices 14 and issues at the exterior of
the peripheral wall 7 in the form of a multiplicity of streams or pre-fibers 15 which are
preferably immediately subject to the attenuating effect of the blast from the internal
combustion burner 9 directed across the exterior of the wall. The pre-fibers 15 are
maintained in an attenuabte condition by the elevated temperature of the blast for a
time sufficient to effect attenuation thereof. The fineness of the attenuated fibers is
regulated primarily by the control of the blast velocity which in turn is a function of
burner pressure. This invention has shown that equal or lower burner pressure and
blast velocity, results not only in finer fibers, but finer fibers which have fewer stress-
rising defects. These techniques, unexpectedly, have been accomplished in the
preferred embodiment without significantly altering the combustion air and gas flow
rate to the burner 9, the glass composition, or overall nature of existing equipment.
As a result, small fibers, substantially smaller on average than those currently
employed in baits and blankets, can be used without sacrificing thickness recovery,
even though the density or gram weight is at least abou 15% less.
The spinner hole count, size and distribution are important factors in the
preferred embodiment methods of this invention. While spinner speed (rpm) is
desirably increased from about 1,975 to about 2,250 in Examples A1 and A2 of this
invention, such has not been demonstrated to decrease spinner life, but to offer
longer fiber. It has been found that the fiberization of small, less than about 3.5
micron avenge diameter, glass fibers can be greatly improved by increasing the total
holes from about 23,000 to at least about 25,000 holes, preferably to about 25,000-
40,000, and most preferably to at least about 30,000 holes, white reducing the
average diameter of the holes from about .86mm to less than about .8 mm,
preferably to about .78mm. Additionally, it is desirable that all of the holes, have a
maximum cross-sectional dimension of less than 1 mm. These spinner parameters
create many more molten glass streams, which are smaller, for producing much
smaller fibers. Examples of current production ("control") performance baft spinner
specifications are described below in Table 3.
Tabte 3: Additional Spinner Specifications
* Example A1 employed the spinner, described in more detail in Table 4.
The flow of attenuated fibers into the receiving chamber or receiving hood 70,
as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is accompanied by the induction of substantial amounts
of air. Although the induced air tends initially to restrict the expansion of the veil of
fibers flowing from the spinner, the rapid deceleration of the fibers within the receiving
chamber produces a substantial expansion of the fiber veil and provides a relatively
uniform distribution of the fibers amid the product and across the width of the
conveyor. Although a binder spray, such as a phenolic resin, usually is applied to the
attenuated fibers at the top of the receiving chamber in a conventional manner, the
apparatus for applying the binder has been omitted in FIGS. 2 and 3.
Comparative Examples A1 and A2 were carried out on insulation batts
prepared in accordance with the fiberizing conditions of Table 2, and the spinner
For operation of the described apparatus, the centrifuge 1 including the basket
3 thereof, is preheated in a well known manner utilizing the combustion of gases
passing through shaft 2, the neat of the burner. 9 and induction current ring 12 and
Similar supplemental sources as may be necessary. With the spinner rotating at a
predetermined speed and the burner 9 adjusted to provide a combustion chamber
pressure resulting in a blast velocity sufficient to provide the desired attenuation and
fineness of the fibers, the molten glass stream is introduced into the hollow spinner
shaft 2 from a forehearth or other source of motten glass disposed above the spinner
assembly. The stream of motten glass upon reaching the basket 3 flows along the
bottom of the basket under the influence of centrifugal force and passes through the
orifices of the basket 3 in the form of glass streams 6 which are directed onto the
upper portion of the spinner peripheral waif 7.
Under the influence of the stronger centrifugal force exerted at the wail 7, the
glass passes through the multiplicity of small orifices 14 and issues at the exterior of
the peripheral wall 7 in the form of a multiplicity of streams or pre-fibers 15 which are
preferably immediately subject to the attenuating effect of the blast from the internal
combustion burner 9 directed across the exterior of the wall. The pre-fibers 15 are
maintained in an attenuable condition by the elevated temperature of the blast for a
time sufficient to effect attenuation thereof. The fineness of the attenuated fibers is
regulated primarily by the control of the blast velocity which in turn is a function of
burner pressure. This invention has shown that equal or lower burner pressure and
blast velocity, results not only in finer fibers, but finer fibers which have fewer stress-
rising defects. These techniques, unexpectedly, have been accomplished in the
preferred embodiment without significantly altering the combustion air and gas flow
rate to the burner 9, the glass composition, or overall nature of existing equipment.
As a result, small fibers, substantially smaller on average than those currently
employed in baits and blankets, can be used without sacrificing thickness recovery,
even though the density or gram weight is at least abou 15% less.
The spinner hole count, size and distribution are important factors in the
preferred embodiment methods of this invention. While spinner speed (rpm) is
desirably increased from about 1,975 to about 2,250 in Examples A1 and A2 of this
invention, such has not been demonstrated to decrease spinner life, but to offer
longer fiber. It has been found that the fiberization of small, less than about 3.5
micron avenge diameter, glass fibers can be greatly improved by increasing the total
holes from about 23,000 to at least about 25,000 holes, preferably to about 25,000-
40,000, and most preferably to at least about 30,000 holes, while reducing the
average diameter of the holes from about .86mm to less than about .8 mm,
preferably to about .78mm. Additionally, it is desirable that ail of the notes, have a
maximum cross-sectional dimension of less than 1 mm. These spinner parameters
create many more molten glass streams, which are smaller, for producing much
smaller fibers. Examples of current production ("control") performance batt spinner
specifications are described below in Table 3.
Table 3: Additional Spinner Specification
Example At employed the spinner, described in more detail in Table 4.
The flow of attenuated fibers into the receiving chamber or receiving hood 70,
as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is accompanied by the induction of substantial amounts
of air. Although the induced air tends initially to restrict the expansion of the veil of
fibers flowing from the spinner, the rapid deceleration of the fibers within the receiving
chamber produces a substantial expansion of the fiber veil and provides a relatively
uniform distribution of the fibers amid the product and across the width of the
conveyor. Although a binder spray, such as a phenolic resin, usually is applied to the
attenuated fibers at the top of the receiving chamber in a conventional manner, the
apparatus for applying the binder has been omitted in FIGS. 2 and 3.
Comparative Examples A1 and A2 were carried out on insulation batts
prepared in accordance with the fiberizing conditions of Table 2, and the spinner
specifications of Table 3. White ASTM specifications were available for Gram
Weight ami Thickness Recovery measurements, Thermal Conductivity and Parting
Strength, similar specifications were not available for Cutting Oust, Floor Dust and
Flying Dust, so these measurements were made by internal plant procedures using
a Gulffiber dust shaking machine.
It was further noted that the Gram Weight of identically shaped R-13 products
made with conventional 3.9 micron diameter glass fibers and those made from 2.9
micron average diameter (Example A1) and 2.1 micron average diameter (Example
A2) fibers showed substantial reductions in density value, namely, the Gram Weight
was reduced from about 104g/ft2 to 89g/ft2 for Example A1, and to 81g/ft2 for
Example A2. This reduction in gram weight represents a significant potential material
cost savings.
In a preferred embodiment of this invention the fiberization process uses a
modified distribution of orifices on the band 7 of the centrifuge. A significant
adaptation made in the context of this object of the invention appears on figure 4.
Figure 4 represents a partial frontal view of the band 7 of the centrifuge 1,
where the orifices 14 perforated in said band are shaded.
In this figure are pictured the two superimposed annular zones ZA1 and ZA2,
ZA2 being below ZA1 when the device is viewed in fiberization position. In the case
pictured, each of these annular zones includes three circular rows of orifices 14. In
the annular zone ZA1 the rows present a pitch P1, the orifices a diameter d1, the
distance D1 separates the centers of the closest orifices 14, the distance between
the closest edges of neighboring orifices is DB1, and the number of orifices per unit
of surface area is NS1 in the zone ZA1. In the annular zone ZA2, these parameters
are respectively P2, d2, D2, DB2, and NS2.
The pitch between ZA1 and ZA2 is called Pt/2.
Note on one hand that d2 is less than d1, and that P2 and D2 are, respectively,
less than P1 and D1. As a result, NS2 is very much greater than NS1.
This representation is in no way restrictive and a band 7 of a centrifuge 1 may
contain more than two annular zones, each of said zones containing at least one
series of orifices 14.
In order to illustrate the value of the centrifuge according to the invention,
comparative testing was performed, with, on one hand, a standard centrifuge, and on
the other hand, a centrifuge according to the invention. The characteristics of the two
centrifuges which were selected to have the same average diameter, DM, and the
same band surface area, and an identical height of perforated band, are presented
in table 4. Each of these centrifuges includes three annular zones each consisting
of several rows of orifices of constant diameter and spacing in a row.
Table 4: Centrifuge Design of Example B
The number of orifices per row is noted as NO, and the number of orifices per unit
of surface area, NS, is expressed herein as the number of orifices per mm2, where
NS = NO/(tt.D.P)
Note that the number of orifices per unit of surface area is constant for the
standard centrifuge. In the case of the centrifuge according to the invention, it varies
by annular zone and this number, NS, is lower than the one of the standard
centrifuge for the highest annular zone, ZA1, and then higher than that of the
standard centrifuge for the other annular zones, ZA2 and ZA3. Note that for the
centrifuge according to the invention, the number of orifices per unit of surface area
increases with the zone, from the top to the bottom of the centrifuge, by about 25 to
30% from one zone to another.
The two centrifuges were manufactured from the same alloy, known under the
reference SG30, produced in particular by the company SEVA. The standard
centrifuge was perforated using the electroerosion technique described above, while
the orifices of the centrifuge according to the invention were perforated using electron
bombardment. Laser perforation could also be considered.
Products were manufactured with each of the centrifuges under equivalent puH
conditions.
The types of products manufactured, the conditions of fiberization and the
mechanical properties measured on the products obtained by this Example are
reported in table 5, below :
Table 5: Product Properties of Example B
The properties measured on products of the same type with each centrifiuge are
also compared in Table 5.
The thickness recovery is defined as the ratio (in %) between the thickness after
compression test and the nominal thickness. It must be noted that the thickness of
the product manufactured before compression testing is greater than the nominal
thickness. In the case of the tests mentioned, the thickness of the product
manufactured is 144 mm for a nominal thickness of 80 mm.
From table 5 it can be deduced that the thickness of the fiber mat unloaded
after 12 days of compression testing is about 90% of the original thickness
(manufacturing thickness) of the fiber mat with the centrifuge according to the
invention, and about 80% of the initial thickness with a standard centrifuge.
To conduct the compression test above, panels of fiber mat are prepared after
manufacture and loaded to obtain a compression rate of 8/1, i.e. in the case
mentioned a compressed thickness of about 18 mm. After the compression time
specified (12 days, 1 month), the panels are unloaded (4 panels are tested per
compression time) and the average thickness after compression test is determined.
The tensile strength is determined based on a test specimen in the form of ring
cut with a punch in a mat of fibrous product. The "tensile strength" is expressed as
the form of the tensite force (breaking force of the ring torn out by two circular and
parallel mandrels 12.5 mm in radius, with a load speed of 300 mm/min) in relation to
the mass of the test specimen and is expressed in gf/g.
The test specimen, loaded at the start of the test, is a substantially elliptical toric
ring of 122x76 mm long and short axes and 26 mm thickness of torr. 15specimens
are tested by product. This test refers to norms BIFT 5012-76 and ASTM C 681-76.
The tensite strength is measured on the product after manufacture and, in order
to estimate the product's capacity for aging, after an autoclave test. The duration of
the autoclave test is 15 minutes, at a temperature of 107°C, a pressure of 0.8 bar and
humidity of 100%.
From table 5 it may be observed that for a product of the same type, sharply
improved mechanical properties are obtained with the device according to Example
A compared to the standard device and at the same time, the energy needed to
produce the fibers is significantly reduced.
In fact, the pressure of the burner is lower, about 20% less with the centrifuge
according to Example A compared to the results with the standard centrifuge. At the
same time, the outputs of fluid, air and gas are relatively smaller, by about 10%. The
energy yield of the process is thus very advantageously increased with the centrifuge
according to this Example.
The improvement in mechanical properties relates both to the thickness
recovery, which is about 10% greater with the centrifuge according to the invention
compared to products obtained with a standard centrifuge, and also the tensile
strength, which is improved by about 20%.
In addition from these remarkable results, it was noted that, unexpectedly, the
increase in the number of orifices of the centrifuge does not have a negative effect
on the life span of the centrifuge, when the latter is made according to the instructions
of this Example.
Under the fiberization conditions defined in table 5, the life span of the
centrifuge according to the invention was about 370 hours and that of the standard
centrifuge was about 300 hours.
In the same way, it is noted that the quality of the products does not vary
significantly with the time of use in fiberization of a spinner, although it might have
been feared that the increase in the number of holes per unit of surface area may
lead to accelerated aging of the centrifuge accompanied by a rapid deterioration in
the properties of the product during fiberization with the same spinner.
It is noted that the configuration described for the centrifuge according to this
Example in table 4 is especially advantageous from a geometric point of view. In
fact, while increasing the number of orifices in the centrifuge, the inventors were able
to define a geometric configuration where the space between the edges of the
orifices, DB1, is increased in relation to that of the standard centrifuge in the annular
zone, ZA1, where the orifices have the largest diameter, D1, and where corrosion and
erosion are the most active. In the median annular zone, ZA2, the space between
edges of orifices, DB2, is identical in both configurations, and in the annular zone,
ZA3, with the smallest diameter, D3, the configuration chosen permits decreasing tine
distance between edges of orifices, DB3, which is not harmful because corrosion and
erosion are not as great there.
Thus, very advantageously, the mechanical properties of the centrifuge are
preserved, and its life span can be maintained or increased compared to a standard
centrifuge, while considerably increasing the number of orifices.
The general advantages of the invention can also be illustrated by the
estimations of the Thermal Performance (for fixed density) or density for fixed R-
vaJue variation with average fiber diameter. The High Performance Batt product
("HPB") and commercial Building Insulation product ("Current Bl" or "Control") gram
weight comparison can be estimated, as follows, for some of the more popular R-
rated products (thermal resistance or "R-rating" as measured by product thickness)
(in)/thermal conductivity (BTU in/ft.hr . ºF)), for example, A1 and A2. Results for
currently produced building batt insulation, ("Current Bl"), and high performance batt
insulation ('HPB") products are provided FIGS. 6 and 7. For a fix product density, a
decrease of the average glass fiber diameter can offer an increase in R-value. Figure
6 shows the estimated variation of thermal insulation performance (variation of R
values, in %) calculated for the same density, as the function of the glass fiber
average diameter (in micrometer). The range "Current Bl" represents the actual
situation for CertainTeed batt insulation production in the market. The range "HPB"
depicts the estimated thermal resistance performance boost provided by this
invention. Quite the same as FIG. 6, FIG. 7 shows the estimated variation of density
(in %) for a fixed R-value, as the function of the glass fiber average diameter (in
micrometer): for a fixed R-value, the product gram weight or density can be reduced
when the average glass fiber diameter decreases. With batt products produced in
accordance with this invention, smaller glass fibers result in reduced product gram
weight for improved insulation performance. The curves of FIGS. 6 and 7 generally
follow the pattern of estimated data points provided in Table 6.
Table 6: Bett Gram Weight Comperison
The process parameters for Examples A1 and A2 produced batts that were very
soft to the touch and cotton-ball-like in texture, with virtually little itching upon skin
contact. They both produced high thermal resistance values, similar to the current
commercial production of 3.9 micron average diameter fibers, resulting in test results
having the same R-value with a gram weight or density reduction of at least 12%, and
preferably about 15-28%. The insulation products of Examples A1 and A2 were also
comparable or better in ASTM C 167 thickness recovery to current production batt
insulation. This is important since batt and roll products of densities less than
2.5 lbs./ft3 are often highly compressed to a thickness much lower than their nominal
thickness, at least about ½, and preferably about 1/7th to 1/12th, of their nominal
thickness, for example when packed in order to reduce the storage and freight costs.
The products are required to recover their nominal thickness at the job site after
opening of the package. While it was formerly believed that reductions in the fiber's
diameter in batt and roll products would improve the thermal and acoustic insulation
properties of these products, it was rarely attempted in practice, since small average
diameter fiber insulation typically failed to resume its nominal thickness after
compression. As reflected in Examples A1 and A2 of this invention, full thickness
recovery was achieved for both products, even though the product gram weight was
dramatically reduced with the decrease in the average fiber diameter.
From the foregoing, it can be realized that this invention provides improved
insulation products composed of fine glass fibers having fewer defects. These
products are less expensive to produce and recover their full thickness following
compression, while also providing the same R-rating as higher density larger
average diameter fiber insulation products. The processing techniques of this
invention are capable of producing small fibers of less than about 3.5 micron average
diameter with fewer stress-rising defects due to a combination of a spinner with more
and smaller orifices and/or a gentler blast velocity. Although various embodvnents
have been illustrated, this was for the purpose of describing and not limiting the
invention. For example, the high strength fibers produced by the claimed processes
of this invention could be useful in producing composite reinforcement, toose-fitl
insulation, woven and non-woven fabrics, and can also be applied to plastic resin
compositions to improve fiber performance. Various other modifications which will
become apparent to one silled in the art, are within the scope of this invention
described in the attached claims.
We Claim:
1. A method of making a glass fiber insulation product, characterized
by:
(a) providing at least one glass material;
(b)melting the glass material;
(c) disposing said molten glass material in a spinner of the rotary
cup type (1) having a plurality of spinner orifices (14);
(d)centrifuging the molten glass material through said plurality of
spinner orifices (14) to form a multiplicity of glass streams
(15);
(e) attenuating said glass streams (15) with a gas current adjacent
the exterior of the spinner (1) to form glass fibers (10) having
an average diameter of no greater than about 3.5 microns, said
gas current being substantially provided by a burner (9) having
a burner pressure of about 2,490-6,230 Pa (10-25 inches of
water or 250-635 mm CE) preferably less than 5,730 Pa (23
inches of water or 580 mm CE), said burner having a pair of
burner lip portions (54, 56) separated by a width of at least 8
mm preferably between 8.1 and 8.5 mm;
(f) combining the fibers (10) together with a resinous binder to
form an insulation product having an ASTM C 686 parting
strength of at least about 100 gf/g, and exhibiting a substantial
recovery of its nominal thickness following compression;
and wherein the spinner of the rotary cup type (1) of step (c) and
(d) has a peripheral band which is perforated with orifices (14)
distributed in a plurality of annual zones (ZA) arranged on top of
each other with the centrifuge in centrifugation position, and which
includes at least two annular zones (ZA1, ZA2) whose number of
orifices per unit of surface area (NS1, NS2) differs by a value
greater than or equal to 5%, in particular greater than or equal to
10%, and even 20%, and in that the annular zone containing the
greatest number of orifices per unit of surface area is located below
the other annular zone, assuming that the spinner is in
centrifugation position.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the burner of said
attenuating step (e) employs an airflow of about 1,415.8-2,831.6
m3/h (50,000-100,000 ft3/hr).
3. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims wherein the
burner of said attenuating step (e) employs a gas flow rate of about
84.9-169.9 m3/h (3,000-6,000 ft3/hr).
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the annular zone of the
spinner (1) containing the greatest number of orifices per unit of
surface area is located below another annular zone of the spinner
(1) containing a lower average number of orifices per unit of
surface area.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 4 wherein the orifices
(14) of each annular zone of the spinner (1) are grouped in rows,
with a diameter of orifice (d) substantially constant in each annular
zone and decreasing from one annular zone to another, from the
top to the bottom of the peripheral band of the centrifuge (7).
6. The method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the preceding rows are
spaced from each other at a distance between 1 and 2 mm, in
particular between 1.2 and 1.8 mm, preferably with a pitch from
one row to the next of between 1 and 2 mm, for example between
1.2 and 1.6 mm.
7. The method as claimed in claims 1 to 6 wherein the diameter (d) of
at least a part of the orifices (14) of the spinner centrifuge (1) is at
most 1.5 or 1.2 mm, in particular between 1.1 and 0.5 mm, for
example between 0.9 and 0.7 mm.
8. The method as claimed in claims 1 to 7 wherein the distance (D)
between the centers of the closest orifices neighboring the same
annular zone (ZA) of the spinner (1) is substantially constant over
an entire annular zone and this distance (D) varies from one zone
to another by at least 3%, or even at least 5%, and even 10% or
more, and is decreasing from the top to the bottom, with in
particular a distance D between 0.8 and 3 mm, for example
between 1 and 2 mm.
9. The method as claimed in claims 1 to 8 wherein the centrifuge (1)
presents an average diameter (DM) less than or equal to 800 mm,
in particular by at least 200 mm.
10. The method as claimed in claim 1 to 9 wherein the high
temperature gaseous drawing jet of step (e) is produced by an
annular burner (9).
11. The method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the annular burner (9)
is a tangential burner which includes a mechanism of giving the
gaseous drawing jet a tangential component in relation to the
external horizontal edge of the centrifuge.
A method of making a glass fiber insulation product, characterized by: providing
at least one glass material; melting the glass material; disposing said molten
glass material in a spinner of the rotary cup type (1) having a plurality of spinner
orifices (14); centrifuging the molten glass material through said plurality of
spinner orifices (14) to form a multiplicity of glass streams (15); attenuating said
glass streams (15) with a gas current adjacent the exterior of the spinner (1) to
form glass fibers (10) having an average diameter of no greater than about 3.5
microns, said gas current being substantially provided by a burner (9) having a
burner pressure of about 2,490-6,230 Pa (10-25 inches of water or 250-635 mm
CE) preferably less than 5,730 Pa (23 inches of water or 580 mm CE), said
burner having a pair of burner lip portions (54, 56) separated by a width of at
least 8 mm preferably between 8.1 and 8.5 mm; combining the fibers (10)
together with a resinous binder to form an insulation product having an ASTM C
686 parting strength of at least about 100 gf/g, and exhibiting a substantial
recovery of its nominal thickness following compression; and wherein the spinner
of the rotary cup type (1) of step (c) and (d) has a peripheral band which is
perforated with orifices (14) distributed in a plurality of annual zones (ZA)
arranged on top of each other with the centrifuge in centrifugation position, and
which includes at least two annular zones (ZA1, ZA2) whose number of orifices
per unit of surface area (NS1, NS2) differs by a value greater than or equal to
5%, in particular greater than or equal to 10%, and even 20%, and in that the
annular zone containing the greatest number of orifices per unit of surface area is
located below the other annular zone, assuming that the spinner is in
centrifugation position.

Documents:

871-KOLNP-2003-FORM-27-1.1.pdf

871-KOLNP-2003-FORM-27.pdf

871-kolnp-2003-granted-abstract.pdf

871-kolnp-2003-granted-claims.pdf

871-kolnp-2003-granted-correspondence.pdf

871-kolnp-2003-granted-description (complete).pdf

871-kolnp-2003-granted-drawings.pdf

871-kolnp-2003-granted-examination report.pdf

871-kolnp-2003-granted-form 1.pdf

871-kolnp-2003-granted-form 18.pdf

871-kolnp-2003-granted-form 2.pdf

871-kolnp-2003-granted-form 26.pdf

871-kolnp-2003-granted-form 3.pdf

871-kolnp-2003-granted-form 5.pdf

871-kolnp-2003-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

871-kolnp-2003-granted-specification.pdf

871-kolnp-2003-granted-translated copy of priority document.pdf


Patent Number 226792
Indian Patent Application Number 871/KOLNP/2003
PG Journal Number 52/2008
Publication Date 26-Dec-2008
Grant Date 24-Dec-2008
Date of Filing 07-Jul-2003
Name of Patentee SAINT-GOBAIN ISOVER
Applicant Address 18 AVENUE D'ALSACE, F92400 COURBEVOIE
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 TRABBOLD MARK 337 MORGAN WAY, HARLEYSVILLE, PA 19438
2 YANG ALAN 3932 DARBY ROAD, BRYN MAWR, PA 19010
3 BEAUFILS SEBASTIEN 24 RUE SAINT-REMY, F-60190 CERNOY
4 WAGNER CHRISTOPHE 130 MEADOW CREEK LANE, ATHENS, GA 30605
PCT International Classification Number C03B 37/04
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP02/01519
PCT International Filing date 2002-02-13
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 01/02024 2001-02-14 France