O-I has converted a conventional air-fuel glass furnace to oxy-fuel using Praxair’s oxy-fuel combustion technology.

Praxair will supply gaseous oxygen to the 180-tons per day, non-cryogenic glass plant located in Oklahoma, USA (pictured).

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 minimise furnace emissions and reduce furnace crown deterioration.

Pravin Mathur, Executive Director for Praxair’s Global Market Development organisation said: “We are pleased to bring this experience to our longtime customer, O-I.

“Our plant and technology will provide an efficient and reliable supply of oxygen and oxy-fuel combustion to O-I, increasing their productivity and improving the environmental performance of their manufacturing processes.”

Will Besancon, O-I project manager, said: “Praxair’s extensive technical and process experience with oxy-fuel glass furnaces played a key role in helping us successfully design and start up our newest furnace.

“We look forward to their continued support with the new furnace, which will improve the efficiency and sustainability of our glass operations in Muskogee.”

The US container glass industry manufactures approximately 10 million tons of glass packaging annually, and is the largest segment of the glass industry by volume.