From refractories to hot gas filtration: RATH helps the glass industry to become more sustainable

There are two major challenges that all industrial sectors must face now and in future – and this includes the glass industry: increasing energy efficiency and reducing emissions across the board. Ambitious efforts are underway, and RATH is intensively supporting its customers. Be it innovative products for refractory linings or ceramic hot gas filter elements to filter particle-laden industrial flue gases: RATH attaches great importance to continuous research and development. A recent example of this: RATH developed a new, advanced feeder expendables series, which stands for even better product quality and longer service life. These are among the topics you can learn more about at the RATH booth at Glassman USA in June.

The further development of refractory compositions is a challenge that the Austrian refractory manufacturer is taking on with great commitment which is also proven by a new RATH product series. “The new FOURATH 4xx feeder expendable series is based on an optimised formulation which has been exclusively developed and produced by RATH”, says Robert Nusszer, Managing Director of the Sales Unit Glass at RATH.

While the previous 3xx mixes were produced using the slipcasting technique, the new FOURATH 4xx mixes are produced using a so-called hybrid technology: RATH uses the same mould park, but a special vibrocasting technology. “This brings some significant advantages: For example, the new feeder expendable series convinces with improved product quality – due to a more compact mix and better surface quality”, says Robert Nusszer. “We selected the highest quality raw materials in order to keep the impurity level to a minimum, to prevent blister formulation. Furthermore, with the new manufacturing technology we can avoid the additional grinding, e. g. of the tube's outer surface – thus, we are able to increase the service life of the tube. In addition, we have been able to significantly reduce the drying time of the refractory, which gives us better flexibility in terms of lead times.” The thermal shock resistance has also significantly improved, and the risk of cracking has decreased considerably.

RATH Competence Centre for Hot Gas Filtration: Bundling Specialist Expertise

For many years, the company has been developing innovative ceramic hot gas filter elements that make it possible to filter particle-laden industrial flue gases at temperatures up to 1000 °C and reduce emissions of nitrogen and sulphur oxides, as well as reduce the emission of fine particulates. Since 2016, all resources, capabilities and expertise in hot gas filtration have been pooled in the Meißen (Germany) facility. This research and production site of the company is home to cutting-edge facilities for the manufacture of RATH'S FILTRATH® non-catalytic and FILTRATH®CAT catalytic filter elements. The latter were developed for pollutant emission control: These rigid yet highly porous and catalytically coated ceramic filter elements are used for multiple pollutant control of (fine) dust, acid gases, dioxins and nitrogen oxides in hot gas flows (at temperatures between 250° and 420°C) and can easily replace conventional textile filters.

Doubling of the Production Capacity for Hot Gas Filter Elements in Meißen

Recently, RATH has doubled its production capacity for both catalytic and non-catalytic hot gas filter elements at its Meißen production facility. As the only remaining European manufacturer of filter elements, RATH can produce up to 40.000 filter elements depending on requested dimensions and quality. The new production line is already in operation and running at the highest efficiency level.

Meet us at the Glassman USA (June 6-7, Cleveland) at the RATH booth (B8) and learn more about our premium refractory solutions for the glass industry.

www.rath-group.com/glass