Environmental Aspects of Fiberglass Melting

TL;DR: In this article, the different types of emissions, both gaseous and particulates, that can be generated from the fiberglass production process are detailed, and different measures developed by the glass industry to reduce, on the one hand, and to capture, on second hand, the emissions generated are also described.

Abstract: Fiberglass production is an energy-intensive process, involving high temperatures and the use of several potentially volatile compounds, such as borates or alkali raw materials, or organic compounds for binding or coatings. Fiberglass melting is thus prone to the production of emissions of these volatiles. With increased concerns about the impact of humankind on the environment (global warming, acid rains, etc.), more and more drastic regulations on emissions are implemented, and the fiberglass industry (in the same manner as all the other industries) has a strong focus on reducing their levels of emissions. The emissions generated at fiberglass plants are highly dependent on the type of glass produced, its exact composition, the type of melting tank employed, and its operating process, as well as the type of pollution abatement system implemented. In this chapter, the different types of emissions, both gaseous and particulates, that can be generated from the fiberglass production process are detailed. The different measures developed by the glass industry to reduce, on the one hand, and to capture, on the second hand, the emissions generated are also described. Finally, the environmental impacts of the fiberglass production, in terms of recycling and environmental benefits they generate, are briefly discussed.