A recent article on ceramicindustry.com details the use of ceramic filter systems to control furnace emissions. The United States, Europe, Central America and the Middle East have all adopted low-density ceramic filters as an instrumental part of the glass manufacturing process. These ceramic filters are called “candles” because of their tube-shape and can capture heavy metals at the same rate as other particulates (99%) with the exception of mercury. The authors of “Ceramic Filter Elements for Emission Control on Glass Furnaces-Efficient Multi-Pollutant Treatment in a Single Step”, have drawn this conclusion:
“The employment of low-density ceramic filter elements for pollution control and product recovery applications is now well-established. The principal benefits of ceramic elements are high filtration efficiency and high temperature capability, now allied with a catalyst capable of removing NOx. These benefits can most effectively be utilized to treat the gases associated with glass furnaces.”
These filters can operate at temperatures between 300 and 1650 degrees Fahrenheit and are being adopted into most glass manufacturing facilities in the near future. This is a great boon for those in the industrial ceramics field. Do you have an opinion on the new ceramic filter systems being implemented into the glass manufacturing industry? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know by sounding off in the comments section below!