Foaming in oxy-gas atmosphere

Under oxy-gas conditions, the reduced nitrogen content leads to a 35 vol.% increase in water vapor in the atmosphere above the glass melt. Water vapor reduces the solubility of sulfur in the melt, causing its potential decomposition into bubbles in the molten glass. The increased gas release subsequently creates bubbles and foaming.

To combat this issue, one solution is to decrease the amount of sulfur dissolving in the melt by decreasing the sulfur content in the batch materials. Another solution is to shift the furnace to a reducing atmosphere. A lower redox promotes the decomposition of sulfates earlier in the process, minimizing the release of SO₂ at higher temperatures and reducing excessive bubbling in an oxidized glass.

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