Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC

Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.

William R Cooper

Liang Chen

William E Downey

Harry B Cline

David L Shallenberger

Michael P Lewis

Jesus Manuel Hernandez-Torres

Kathleen M Bullock

Kevin Guigley

Yadollah Delaviz

Terry Burn

Scott Blackwood

Bobby R Gibson

Michael V Mager

Biocides for bio-based binder compositions are disclosed. Bio-based binders include those having a nutrient source such as carbohydrate, protein or fat, which can serve as an energy source for organisms to grow in areas that contact binder. Principal areas that contact bio-based binder in a fiberglass insulation manufacturing process include the raw ingredients, the binder chemicals, the prepared binder dispersions, the forming hood and related equipment, the final insulation product and, importantly, the cleaning systems and washwater arising from cleaning the manufacturing equipment and/or forming the product. Frequently the washwater is stored until re-cycled for re-use. Storage may take place in tanks, towers, vats and even outdoor reservoirs, all of which may harbor the growth of unwanted organisms, for which a biocide is desirable.

Biocides for bio-based binders, fibrous insulation products and wash water systems

A method of re-circulating washwater used to clean production components for the manufacture of fibrous insulation, e.g. fiberglass is disclosed. The method includes providing a bulk washwater recovery loop to re-circulate washwater used to clean the downstream air components, as well as a separate hoodwall washwater recovery loop to re-circulate hoodwall washwater. Re-circulated hoodwall washwater may be used to clean the forming hood components and for preparation of binder dispersions. In the latter case, the pH of the hoodwall washwater is measured and the binder dispersion may be prepared with 100% hoodwall washwater, 100% makeup water, or a blend of each depending on and in response to the pH measurement.

Apparatus and method for re-circulating wash water used in manufacturing glass fiber products

The present invention provides improved cooling of a veil of glass fibers by using a combination of nozzle assemblies. The nozzle assemblies include air caps of differing configurations to control the penetration of the spray into the veil. One suitable spray configuration is a nozzle assembly having punch air cap that creates a narrow exit angle, high velocity flow of droplets to penetrate the veil to cool the fibers at the interior. Another suitable configuration is a nozzle assembly having a flat air cap that creates a wide exit angle, low velocity, dispersed spray pattern to cool the exterior of the veil. Preferably, the flat air cap creates a very fine particle size to increase the cooling efficiency of the spray. By using the cooling ring of the present invention, lower levels of binder to be applied to the fibers and environmental emissions from the plant may be reduced.

Cooling ring for use in manufacturing of fiberglass wool

A recovery system recycles the washwater used to clean excess binder and debris from the production components, including a forming hoodwall constructed of non-corrosive materials, for manufacturing fiberglass insulation. A separate closed-loop recovery system is provided for the forming hoodwall in which the binder-containing washwater is screened and then recycled back to the forming hoodwall without further chemical treatment to change the pH level. A binder reclamation system is coupled to the hoodwall washwater recovery system to divert the low pH washwater when the supply of binder needs replenished at the forming hoodwall. The binder reclamation system introduces an acid solution to the cleaned washwater to lower the pH from about 2.5 to about 3.5. The other production components share a bulk washwater recovery system in which a base solution is introduced to raise the pH to approximately 8 or above to reduce corrosion in the other production components.

Process water reuse system for low pH binders

A calibrating system for measuring amounts of sprayed material has an array of nozzles for dispensing a sprayed material and a capture apparatus positioned to receive the dispensed sprayed material from the array of nozzles. The capture apparatus has aligned channels configured for receiving the dispensed sprayed material.

Calibrating system for measuring sprayed materials

A neutralization system for controlling the pH of the washwater used to clean and maintain polyacrylic bound glass forming equipment is provided. The neutralization system introduces a base solution to a washwater solution when the pH of the washwater solution contained in a closed loop washwater recovery system and in a washwater tank holding the washwater solution is determined to be below approximately 8.0. Maintaining the pH of the washwater solution reduces the corrosion rate of the glass fiber forming equipment that is typically associated with acidic binders. In a second embodiment of the invention, a closed-loop hoodwall reclaim washwater recovery system utilized in addition to the washwater neutralization system that allows for the recovery and reuse of a polycarboxylic acid binder with a minimal amount of base solution. The closed-loop hoodwall reclaim washwater system is not connected to the closed-loop washwater neutralization system.

Control of the pH in washwater recovery system for a glass forming line

A neutralization system for controlling the pH of the washwater used to clean and maintain polyacrylic bound glass forming equipment. The neutralization system introduces a base solution to a washwater solution when the pH of the washwater solution contained in a closed loop washwater recovery system falls below about 8.5, thereby substantially reducing the corrosion rate of the components of the equipment associated with acidic polyacrylic acid binder, maleic acid cobinder or maleic anhydride cobinder and washwater solution. A closed-loop hoodwall washwater recovery system may also be introduced in addition to the neutralization system that allows for the recovery and reuse of polyacrylic acid binder and maleic acid cobinder or maleic anhydride cobinder with a minimal amount of base solution, thereby minimizing degradation of insulation properties of polyacylic acid bound glass fiber products.

Washwater neutralization system for glass forming line

A neutralization system for controlling the pH of the washwater used to clean and maintain polyacrylic bound glass forming equipment. The neutralization system introduces a base solution to a washwater solution when the pH of the washwater solution contained in a closed loop washwater recovery system falls below approximately 8.0, thereby substantially reducing the corrosion rate of the components of the equipment associated with acidic polyacrylic acid binder and washwater solution. A closed-loop hoodwall washwater recovery system may also be introduced in addition to the neutralization system that allows for the recovery and reuse of polyacrylic acid binder with a minimal amount of base solution, thereby minimizing degradation of insulation properties of polyacylic acid bound glass fiber products.

Growing community of inventors

Johnstown, OH, United States of America

William R Cooper