Praxair, Inc. (Danbury, Conn.; www.praxair.com) has started up a 180-ton/d, non-cryogenic plant for Owens-Illinois (O-I), the world’s largest glass container manufacturer. O-I has converted a conventional air-fuel glass furnace to oxy-fuel using Praxair’s oxy-fuel combustion technology and, under a long-term contract, Praxair will supply gaseous oxygen to the glass facility located in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
Oxy-fuel combustion uses oxygen rather than air to enhance combustion, improve energy efficiency in the glass melting process and reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. In addition to supplying the oxygen, Praxair has provided the oxy-fuel combustion flow control skids and installed its dilute oxygen combustion Wide Flame Burner technology, designed to minimize furnace emissions and reduce furnace crown deterioration.
The glass container industry produces containers for packaging food and beverage products. The U.S. manufactures approximately 10 million ton/yr of product, and is the largest segment of the glass industry, by volume. O-I delivers safe, sustainable, pure, iconic, brand-building glass packaging to this growing global marketplace.