Glass Production Research Articles

Simulation and modelling approach for bubblers effect into molten glass tank

The usage of air bubblers plays an important role in the glass-making industrial process because it enhances the global heat transfer efficiency and especially the uniformity and quality of the finished products. However, glass manufacturers rely on field practice to run their plants, due to the extreme difficulty of conducting experimental investigations in melting tanks. CFD analysis represents a powerful tool to optimize operating parameters and positioning of bubblers and other components, not only in existing plants, but also in the design of new furnaces.In the present paper, the behaviour of bubble columns in highly viscous liquids at high temperature was analysed using the Eulerian multiphase model. The macroscopic effect of the column on the surrounding fluid was translated in a locally momentum source term that was introduced in the single-phase CFD model developed in this study. This solution approximates the multiphase nature of the problem in a reliable way and it is of fast integration in comprehensive models of furnaces.A clear methodology to determine the diameter of the bubbles and the velocity of the bubble chain in the buoyancy source term calculus are presented and analysed in detail. In addition, a validation process based on the comparison with other theoretical and empirical studies on the subject was carried out in detail: it includes the evaluation of the bubble chains properties and effects by varying the liquid viscosity and the inlet gas flow, that is the real operational parameter in industry. Moreover, the effects of the variable height of the bubblers were investigated using the results of a single-phase model of a real industrial glass tank.The analysis of the obtained results shows that the model and the calculation methodologies followed in this work can be effectively applied in the dimensioning process of industrial glass tanks or to optimize existing plants.

A Review on Various Techniques for Boron Recovery: Focusing on Efficiency, Sustainability, Scalability, and Cost-Effectiveness

Boron is a critical element extensively used across various industries—such as glass manufacturing, ceramics, agriculture, detergents, nuclear energy, and aerospace—due to its unique chemical and physical properties. However, its widespread industrial use has raised significant environmental concerns, particularly its accumulation in aquatic systems, posing risks to biodiversity, plant life, and human health. This review examines the impacts of boron pollution on aquatic organisms, plants, and humans, highlighting the necessity for effective recovery strategies. We provide a comprehensive analysis of boron recovery techniques—such as reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, nanofiltration, adsorption, membrane distillation, and leaching—focusing on their efficiency, sustainability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. The evaluation compares each method’s operational parameters, environmental impact, and economic feasibility. While methods like reverse osmosis and electrodialysis offer high removal efficiencies, they are often limited by operational costs and environmental drawbacks. Alternative methods like adsorption and nanofiltration present more sustainable and cost-effective options but may require optimization for large-scale applications. This review underscores the need for advanced, economically viable, and sustainable boron recovery technologies to mitigate environmental risks and comply with regulatory standards.

Chemical and Thermal Changes in Mg3Si2O5 (OH)4 Polymorph Minerals and Importance as an Industrial Material

Serpentine (Mg3Si2O5(OH)4), like quartz, dolomite and magnesite minerals, is a versatile mineral group characterized by silica and magnesium silicate contents with multiple polymorphic phases. Among the phases composed of antigorite, lizardite, and chrysotile, lizardite and chrysotile are the most prevalent phases in the serpentinites studied here. The formation process of serpentinites, which arise from the hydrothermal alteration of peridotites, influences the ratio of light rare earth elements (LREE) to heavy rare earth elements (HREE). In serpentinites, the ratio of light rare earth elements (LREE)/heavy rare earth elements (HREE) provides insights into formation conditions, geochemical evolution, and magmatic processes. The depletion of REE compositions in serpentinites indicates high melting extraction for fore-arc/mantle wedge serpentinites. The studied serpentinites show a depletion in REE concentrations compared to chondrite values, with HREE exhibiting a lesser degree of depletion compared to LREE. The high ΣLREE/ΣHREE ratios of the samples are between 0.16 and 4 ppm. While Ce shows a strong negative anomaly (0.1–12), Eu shows a weak positive anomaly (0.1–0.3). This indicates that fluid interacts significantly with rock during serpentinization, and highly incompatible elements (HIEs) gradually become involved in the serpentinization process. While high REE concentrations indicate mantle wedge serpentinites, REE levels are lower in mid-ocean ridge serpentinites. The enrichment of LREE in the analyzed samples reflects melt/rock interaction with depleted mantle and is consistent with rock–water interaction during serpentinization. The gradual increase in highly incompatible elements (HIEs) suggests that they result from fluid integration into the system and a subduction process. The large differential thermal analysis (DTA) peak at 810–830 °C is an important sign of dehydration, transformation reactions and thermal decomposition, and is compatible with H2O phyllosilicates in the mineral structure losing water at this temperature. In SEM images, chrysotile, which has a fibrous structure, and lizardite, which has a flat appearance, transform into talc as a result of dehydration with increasing temperature. Therefore, the sudden temperature drop observed in DTA graphs is an indicator of crystal form transformation and CO2 loss. In this study, the mineralogical and structural properties and the formation of serpentinites were examined for the first time using thermo-gravimetric analysis methods. In addition, the mineralogical and physical properties of serpentinites can be recommended for industrial use as additives in polymers or in the adsorption of organic pollutants. As a result, the high refractory nature of examined serpentine suggests that it is well-suited for applications involving high temperatures. This includes industries such as metallurgy and steel production, glass manufacturing, ceramic production, and the chemical industry.

Paper‐based sensors for real‐time cure monitoring in the production of glass fiber‐reinforced phenol‐formaldehyde composites for aerospace interiors

AbstractThe aerospace industries demand for advanced materials necessitates stringent quality control measures, particularly for composite structures to ensure optimal curing and structural integrity. Traditional methods like differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis, while useful, are limited to laboratory settings. This study explores the use of a printed paper‐based sensor for real‐time cure monitoring of glass fiber‐reinforced phenol‐formaldehyde (PF/GF) prepregs. The sensor, composed of a cellulose paper substrate with screen‐printed electrodes, offers flexibility, ease of integration, and cost‐effectiveness compared to commercial polymer‐based dielectric sensors. Real‐time monitoring with the printed paper‐based sensor was conducted at temperatures ranging from 130 to 180°C, both with and without pressure, and validated against DSC and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results showed a strong correlation between real‐time monitoring and the DSC prediction model, as well as FTIR spectroscopy. Notably, the real‐time monitoring revealed a shorter curing cycle on the production line than the predicted cure kinetic model, which is crucial for large‐scale production, such as fabricating honeycomb panels for aircraft interiors. This research underscores the importance of innovative sensor technologies in improving quality control and manufacturing efficiency in aerospace composites.Highlights Cure Monitoring of PF‐based prepregs was carried out using paper‐based sensor. Sensor offered reproducibility and seamless integration in composites. Sensor data showed a strong correlation with DSC and FTIR spectroscopy results. Paper sensors enable online monitoring of composite in aerospace manufacturing.

EXPLORING CERAMIC REFRACTORY MATERIALS: CLASSIFICATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS

The article explores the primary types of ceramic refractory materials, focusing on their properties and applications in high-temperature industrial processes. Key technological advancements in refractory manufacturing are discussed, with an emphasis on enhancing material strength, chemical resistance, and durability. The analysis highlights the specific characteristics of each refractory type, including fireclay, magnesite, corundum, and silicon carbide, and their utilization across various industries such as metallurgy, energy, and glass production. Modern production and modification methods for refractories are presented, aimed at improving thermal resistance and reducing the operational costs of equipment.

High precision microscale 3D manufacturing of ultralow expansion glass by femtosecond selective laser etching

Due to its exceptional dimensional stability in harsh thermal conditions and excellent mechanical and optical properties, Corning ultralow expansion (ULE®) glass is the material of choice in many high-demanding fields such as aerospace, astronomy, and advanced optics. This material has recently attracted renewed attention with the advent of femtosecond laser technology, with a particular focus on the interaction of ultrafast pulses and the material itself. Phenomena like the formation of self-assembled nanogratings and their thermal stability as well as the darkening of laser-affected zones have then been characterized. This paper presents how to exploit femtosecond selective laser etching (SLE) techniques to manufacture truly three-dimensional components. To demonstrate the micrometer-scale accuracy and repeatability of this process from the mm- to the cm-size range, various devices are designed and fabricated: fiber hole arrays with different hole densities, sizes, orientations, and shapes; and fiber V-groove arrays. Additionally, a mechanical flexural fiber mount is presented as an example of how multiple functionalities can be monolithically integrated into a single piece of glass through SLE technology. An example of a passive alignment substrate for optical components is also shown. SLE technique represents a new advancement in the field of microscale manufacturing, enabling the scalable production of custom-designed ULE® glass structures with unprecedented precision and complexity, paving the way for the miniaturized integration of highly stable components.

Window Glass of a Medieval Church at the Village of Veseloye Near Adler

Frequent finds from the excavations of a Christian church of the late 9th–11th century AD at the village of Veseloye (Greater Sochi) include fragments of unpainted and coloured window glass made by blowing in the disks shape, mostly, of 18 cm diameter. By the design of their edges, discs are divided into two types – one with a loop-shaped edge and one with a slightly thickened straight or slightly raised edge, and by the type of surface – smooth ones and those decorated with relief “optical” decor. A review of finds of medieval window glass over a wide area shows that finds from the Veseloye church fit into this array typologically and chronologically, which can be explained by the common technology of manufacturing this highly demanded glass product. In further research, it will be necessary to find out where window glass was produced for the churches of medieval Abkhazia and the Greater Sochi region.

Research on 4N8 High-Purity Quartz Purification Technology Prepared Using Vein Quartz from Pakistan

This study investigates the potential of two quartz vein ores from the Hunza District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, as raw materials to obtain 4N8 high-purity quartz (HPQ) sand. Various quartz purification processes were examined, including ore calcination, water quenching, flotation, sand calcination, acid leaching, and chlorination roasting. Analytical techniques such as optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy were employed to analyze the microstructure, inclusion characteristics, and chemical composition of both the quartz raw ore and the processed quartz sand. Microscopic observation reveals that the PK-AML quartz raw ore has relatively high purity, the secondary fluid inclusions are arranged in a directional–linear manner or developed along crystal micro-cracks, and most intracrystalline regions exhibit low inclusion contents, while the PK-JTLT quartz raw ore contains a certain number of melt inclusions. The two processed quartz sand samples exhibit a smooth surface with extremely low fluid inclusion content. A comparative analysis of different purification processes shows that quartz sand calcination has a higher impurity removal rate than ore calcination. After crushing the raw ore into sand, the particles become finer with a larger specific surface area. Quartz sand calcination maximally exposes the inclusions and lattice impurity elements within the quartz, facilitating subsequent impurity removal through acid leaching. Following the processes of crushing, ultrasonic desliming, flotation, sand calcination, water quenching, acid leaching, and chlorination roasting, the SiO2 content of PK-AML processed quartz sand is 99.998 wt.%, with only a small amount of Ti and Li remaining, and a total impurity element content of 20.83 µg·g−1. This meets the standard requirements for crucible preparation in industrial applications, making this vein quartz suitable for producing high-end HPQ products. In contrast, the overall purity of PK-JTLT quartz is lower, and the high contents of impurity elements such as Li, Al, and Ti are difficult to remove via purification experiments. The SiO2 content of PK-JTLT processed quartz sand is 99.991 wt.%, which is applied to higher-quality glass products such as photovoltaic glass, electronic glass, and optical glass, thus presenting broad prospects for application.

Zinc boro-aluminosilicate glass for infrared and gamma sensing applications: Physical properties and gamma ray attenuation aspects

The demand for more materials for efficient shielding of radiation has been on the rise day by day due to some witnessed progress in applications of radiations in science and technology. In this research, we investigated the gamma ray shielding capacity of zinc boro-aluminosilicate (ZBASi) glass by varying concentrations of B2O3. Fundamentally, experimental and theoretical means were both adopted to evaluate photon shielding characteristics of the studied glasses. Additionally, amorphous nature and crystalline sizes of the glass sample were determined using XRD technique and Debye Scherrer equation respectively. The results show that as the B2O3 content increased from 55 to 70 wt %, the optical bandgap, and packing density decreased. However, the density, and molar volume were found to increase accordingly. Using Phy-x/PSD and genat4, the maximum values of mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) for ZBASi-4, ZBASi-3, ZBASi-2, and ZBASi-1 were found to be 20.2, 17.5, 16.3, and 9.6 cm2/g at 20 KeV, respectively. With respect to exposure rate, the exposure buildup factor (EBF) is low in the region where density is high, meaning that photon attenuation power is high in the region of low EFB (high density). The production of aluminosilicate glass poses fewer environmental risks than that of traditional lead-based shielding materials. It is therefore a more environmentally friendly option since harmful heavy metals are not involved.

Study on the Characteristics of Molten Glass in a Float Glass Process with a New Structure.

Glass is one of the most common materials in society, and the float glass process is the main production method of glass used at present, which involves adopting a melting furnace with a single cooler. However, this structure has been difficult to fit to the requirements of modern glass production, such as producing multiple types of glass and large-scale production. Therefore, a large-tonnage float glass melting furnace with a double cooler is studied, which is rising in popularity in the glass sector. The aim of this paper is to clarify the characteristics of the new glass furnace. A numerical simulation technique is applied to analyze the thermal and flow characteristics of molten glass in the new structure so as to clarify the feasibility of production by checking the temperature distribution and flow field of the molten glass. The results show that the new structure also exhibits flow behavior similar to the original structure in the branch line. Due to the addition of the branch line, the stability of the temperature is improved, with a 60 K and 43 K difference between the surface and bottom in the main and branch lines, respectively. Similar stability is shown in the flow field, specifically low acceleration in the cooler (0.006 m/s2). The bubble clarification time is about 2700 s, less than the 3000 s required for flow. The parameters of the branch line meet the requirements of glass production. In theory, a glass-melting furnace with a double cooler has the capacity to produce two types of glass.

Smoluchowski temperature and Maxwell velocity slip impacts on magneto-radiative Fe 3 O 4-Al 2 O 3-Cu/H 2 O tri-hybrid nanofluid flow over a shrinking surface with entropy generation: a stability performance

ABSTRACT This investigation aims to find entropy production and to determine the existence of a dual solution in magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) thermal radiative tri-hybrid nanofluid flow over an exponentially shrinking surface by considering suction effects at the surface. Furthermore, the effects of Smoluchowski temperature and Maxwell velocity slip are considered. The products on various flow fields are examined for three different types of fluid: mono nanofluid ( F e 3 O 4 / H 2 O ), hybrid nanofluid ( F e 3 O 4 - A l 2 O 3 / H 2 O ), and tri-hybrid nanofluid ( F e 3 O 4 - A l 2 O 3 - Cu / H 2 O ). The similarity transformation translates the nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) into a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The numerical MATLAB function bvp4c is utilized to construct and solve governing higher-order nonlinear ODEs. A tabular and graphical analysis is conducted on the impact of emergent factors on velocity, temperature, skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number, and entropy generation. The acceptable parameter ranges for the computation are as follows: 0.01 < ϕ 1 < 0.1 , 0.01 < ϕ 2 < 0.1 , 0.01 < ϕ 3 < 0.1 , − 0.7 < ξ < 1.6 , 2.0 < S < 3.0 , 0.0 < M < 0.2 , 0.5 < Nr < 1.5 , 0.1 < ω < 0.5 , and 0.1 < ε < 0.5 . Due to the contraction of the surface, dual solutions are found, but dual solutions cannot be found beyond the critical values. The critical values ξ λ are − 1.44285 , − 1.44804 , and 1.51550 for mono nanofluid, hybrid nanofluid, and tri-hybrid nanofluid, respectively. Including A l 2 O 3 and Cu nanoparticles inside F e 3 O 4 nanoparticles containing nanofluid depicted an accelerating effect on skin friction and Nusselt number rates. The skin friction coefficient and heat transference rate in both the solution branches improved as the suction parameter S was increased. It has been demonstrated that the fluid’s temperature is enlarged by the thermal radiation parameter Nr and increasing nanoparticle volume fractions ϕ 1 , ϕ 2 , ϕ 3 . However, the temperature is reduced greatly by the suction parameter S and Smoluchowski temperature slip parameter ε . Since dual solutions are present, stability analysis is performed by finding the minimum eigenvalue. A positive minimum eigenvalue ( β 1 ) denotes the upper stable solution branch, whereas a minimal eigenvalue that is negative indicates the bottom branch is unstable. The entropy of the flow was found to increase with thermal radiation parameter Nr and magnetic field parameter M in a physically stable solution. Still, it decreased with a higher nanoparticle volume fraction ( ϕ 1 , ϕ 2 , ϕ 3 ). The current optimization technique offers a new and beneficial insight through numerous applications in various fields, i.e. polymer engineering, extrusion of polymer, plastic sheet compression, glass production, fiber, metallic furnace, medicine, and the field of biomedical technology.

The manufacture, optical properties, and mechanical aspects of europium-doped borate glasses

An investigation into the optical and mechanical properties of a novel borate glasses with the chemical composition of 70 B2O3-10 Li2O-10ZnO-5Bi2O3-5CaO-xEu2O3 was conducted. The glassy specimens of Eu3+-doped borate were prepared by the melting-quenching technique. An enhanced density from 3.0860 to 3.2176 g cm−3 and reduced molar volume from 29.27819 to 29.17447 (cm3 mol−1) are the outcome of increasing the concentration of Eu3+ in glasses. Plotting the extinction coefficient, dielectric constant (ε1, ε2), and refractive index (n) against wavelength reveals that they all rise as level of Eu3+ elements in the glass lattice increases. An increase in Eu3+ concentration results in a decrease in both the volume (VELF) and surface (SELF) energy loss functions. Also, all elastic-mechanical moduli (such as Young’s, Bulk, Shear, and Elongation) increase with increasing the quantity of Eu3+ ions in the glass lattice. The Young’s modulus (Y, GPa) of the glassy specimens was 34.512, 36.089, 36.504, 36.730 and 37.114 GPa for x equal 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 mol ratio in the glass system, and coded by Eu-0.0, Eu-0.25, Eu-0.5, Eu-0.75 and Eu-1.0, respectively. Growing Eu2O3 levels resulted in an increase in Micro-Hardness from 2.050 to 2.146 GPa. Poisson’s ratio values for Eu-0.0, Eu-0.250, Eu-0.5, Eu-0.75 and Eu-1.0 were 0.273, 0.275, 0.277, 0.277 and 0.278, respectively.

Brownian motion in a magneto Thermo-diffusion fluid flow over a semi-circular stretching surface

The current study explores the mass and heat transport analysis of a Casson liquid stream past a curved surface. The current model considers the effect of magnetic strength brought on by the strength of the applied uniform magnetic field. The significance of thermophoresis and Brownian motion are also taken into account using the Buongiorno nano-liquid model. The study of liquid flow over stretching sheets frequently addresses practical issues that have garnered significant attention from researchers due to their importance in various domains, including microfluidics, fibreglass production, manufacturing, transportation, metal extrusion, thermal insulation, glass production, paper manufacturing, and acoustic blasting. The governing partial differential equations (PDEs) are converted into ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using the similarity variables. These equations are numerically solved using the finite difference method (FDM). The concentration, temperature, and velocity graphs were produced by varying the different physical parameters. The upsurge in the magnetic parameter reduces the velocity profile. As the magnetic parameter increases, thermal and concentration profiles upsurge. The decrease in velocity profile can be seen as the Casson parameter rises. The intensification in values of thermophoretic parameter enhances the thermal and concentration profiles. The concentration and thermal profiles reduce as the curvature parameter upsurges.

Stand-off hazardous materials identification based on near-infrared hyperspectral imaging combined with convolutional neural network

Near-infrared (NIR) hyperspectral imaging enables rapid, non-contact imaging of hazardous materials in a non-destructive manner, allowing for analysis based on spectral reflection information. However, using traditional methods, it is challenging to identify hazardous materials with less distinct spectral reflection features. This study utilizes a self-built NIR hyperspectral imaging system and proposes a new approach. Using a convolutional neural network (CNN), This allows for the rapid completion of high-throughput spectral screening, marking suspicious spectra at spatial points. we sophisticatedly classified six hazardous material types, generating impactful warning images. The optimized CNN demonstrated superior performance (accuracy 91.08 %, recall 91.15 %, specificity 91.62 %, precision 90.17 %, and 0.924 F1 score) compared to SVM and KNN methods. Our study included multitask validation tests, revealing a sensitive detection of 10 mg/cm2 for ammonium nitrate and trinitrotoluene, capable of identifying over 100 targets simultaneously. By simulating real-world scenarios, we successfully detected hazardous chemicals scattered on the ground and accurately identified these hazardous materials in glass and thin plastic products. Even in situations where clothing obstructed the view, we could still correctly identify hazardous chemicals and generate corresponding warning images. Our system demonstrated precise identification capabilities even amidst complex backgrounds. This method provides an accurate and rapid solution for identifying and locating hazardous chemicals, laying a strong foundation for the next steps in non-contact, long-distance quantitative determination of chemical concentrations. This study highlights the effective application of CNN in non-contact, long-distance classification, and recognition of hazardous materials, paving the way for further scientific and engineering applications.

Influence of manufacturing parameters on bioactive glass 45S5: Structural analysis and applications in bone tissue engineering

Bioactive glass (BG-45S5) production through the melting process is affected by a wide variety of parameters. This study investigated the synthesis of BG-45S5 granules and the process variables to produce a bioactive and osteoinductive BG for bone grafting applications. The melting process was initially analyzed by varying parameters such as crucible type and pouring environment using P2O5 as phosphorus precursor. The obtained products were characterized by crystalline phases, characteristic chemical groups, particle size distribution, and chemical composition. Materials poured into graphite or steel molds resulted in particle sizes more suitable for applications in granular form. Using a platinum crucible yielded a chemical composition closer to the target when compared with another ceramic crucible. Subsequently, the melting process was evaluated to different phosphorus precursor (P2O5 or Na2HPO4) and melting duration (1 or 2 h) in a platinum crucible verifying their effects on the thermal behavior, chemical composition and structure of BG-45S5. Employing Na2HPO4 as a precursor led to higher glass transition and crystallization temperatures as compared to P2O5, enhancing glass homogeneity and structural stability. The product with better characteristics in terms of composition and structure was further characterized for bioactivity and cell culture behavior, showing a greater amount of mineralization nodules when compared to commercial hydroxyapatite. This is particularly due to its behavior as the solubility and interaction in biological environments.

Utilization of waste glass as precursor material in one-part alkali-activated aggregates

The increasing demand for glass products has led to a rise in waste glass (WG), which is commonly disposed of in landfills, causing environmental degradation. Moreover, the direct adoption of a high volume of WG as aggregates in concrete can lead to unfavorable ASR expansion due to its high level of reactive silica. This study explores a one-part alkali activation method to produce WG-based aggregates, aiming to reduce the reactive silica content, mitigate ASR expansion and increase the recycling rate of WG. Waste glass powder (WGP) with a replacement ratio of 100% was combined with two different alkalis (sodium metasilicate pentahydrate (Na2SiO3.5H2O) and sodium aluminate (NaAlO2)) through the cold-bonded one-part alkali activation method to produce WG-based alkali-activated aggregates (WG-AAAs). The influence of various activator contents (0%, 6%, 9%, 12% and 15%) on the physical and mechanical properties of the WG-AAAs was investigated. The WG-AAAs had a bulk density ranging from 920 to 1010 kg/m3, which can be classified as lightweight aggregates. The WG-AAAs with 12% NaAlO2 showed the best performance, with a water absorption of 8.46% and single particle crushing strength of 3.19 MPa. SEM-EDS and XRD results indicated that WG-AAAs with the supply of alumina from NaAlO2 exhibited a lower Si/Al ratio, leading to the formation of C-(N)-A-S-H gel, which improved the strength and creating a denser microstructure. Furthermore, the WG-AAAs showed no ASR expansion concerns, conforming to the expansion limit specified in ASTM C1260.

"Cultural Layer of Kurgan City": Determination, Studying, Findings, Issues and Prospects"

Cultural Layer of Kurgan City archaeological monument was established in 2005. Since 2009 it has been exposed to archaeological excavations at different city mansions dated 1700s – early 1900s and situated within the determined site of cultural heritage. The article briefly describes 14 excavation sites. All works were subject to a commercial contract. It allowed to research relatively substantial areas of the monument. Excavations were arranged in various parts of the historic development including periphery. The research of the periphery is unlikely under the scheduled works. The article describes how the monument was detected and studied and what findings were made. The study reveals how the archaeological finds correlate with the discovered records of the main owners of these mansions. Cultural Layer of Kurgan City archaeological monument is a unique source of information about the tangible culture of citizens in the mid–1700s through the early site 1900s. The paper reviews how the monument was explored through the prospective of particular finds, natural science researches, construction technologies and particular serial sites. The authors generalize the ceramic production, glass production and hygiene in the area. The article outlines the key problems associated with inadequate research of the Cultural Layer of Kurgan City and inferior comparison of archives and archaeological materials. The total area of the monument is 978 thousand sq. m. Yet, due to various reasons it annually loses several thousand square meters with no hope of return.

Glass Factory of Peasants Shapenkovs in the 19th Century, Lower Tobol Region

This paper examines the history of the peasants Shapenkovs’ glass factory. It operated in one of the districts of the Lower Tobol region (Western Siberia). The purpose of the research is to study the range, production volume, color of products and sales regions, raw materials and tools, identify and attribute bottle stamps stored in museum collections and discovered by archaeological excavations. These data will help process archaeological collections obtained by excavations of the Modern Times monuments. 19th century archives and prerevolutionary publications give details on the range, production volume, color of products and sales markets. The thesis explains why the sales markets were changed and how it impacted the production volumes. The study traces the origins of raw materials and tools used to manufacture glass products. The authors review the fluctuations in the labor force throughout the entire period of the factory’s operation and their impact on the production volume. Revision lists and parish registers suggest the dates of the factory’s transition from one owner to another. The collected data indicate that between 1804 and the late 1830s the factory was located near the village of Rafaylovsky. In the late 1830s it was moved to another place near the village of Bateni, Rafaylovsky volost, Yalutorovsky district, Tobolsk province. There it functioned until the third quarter of the 19th cen- tury. The collection of P.P. Ershov Ishim Museum Complex revealed 3 bottle stamps of the considered factory. One more stamp was discovered during archaeological excavations in the city of Tobolsk. The archaeological finds allow to establish the sale markets of products absent in the written sources. It is established that the production was running during periods missing any written evidence. The first quarter of the 19th century accounts for a fairly stable production volume. In the early second quarter of the 19th century the factory was idle, and in the 1850s production peaked. In the second half of the 1860s there was a significant decline in output. By the mid-1870s the factory had closed.

Utilizing bypass cement dust in the production of radiation shielding bismuth borate glass

Using the melting-quench technique, a new method for removing bypass cement dust (BCD) was developed in this study using an active environmental glassy system with the chemical formula (65–x)B2O3–5Li2O–5CdO–25BCD–xBi2O3, where x varied from 0 to 30 mol%. A glass density of 3.137 g/cm³ is attained without bismuth, while a density of 5.345 g/cm³ is obtained with 30 mol% Bi2O3. The unit peaks BO3 and BO4 in the FTIR spectra signify the presence of the BLCDBi-series structure. Elevated Bi2O3 concentrations augment BO4 units. Defects influence the optical absorbance of glass within the wavelength range of 190–1000 nm. These defects in the glass network are created by silicon electrons, silicon hole centers, and BCD as well as Bi3+ or Bi6+ after the addition of bismuth oxide to the glassy system. Eg values were found to decrease as Bi2O3 concentration increased, whereas EU and n values exhibited the opposite behavior. A gamma spectroscopy system and the Phy-X/PSD software are used to calculate the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), half-value layer (HVL), tenth-value layer (TVL), effective atomic number (Zeff), and effective electron density (Neff) of samples. In addition, the Phy-X/PSD software demonstrated good agreement between experimental and theoretical interpretations. Overall, the results showed that the BLCDBi-30 sample is suitable for use in radiation protection.

The glass from the arrabal of Arrixaca (Murcia, 12th-13th centuries)

This article presents an assemblage of 36 glass samples excavated in the urban site of San Esteban, part of the arrabal of Arrixaca (Murcia) (in al-Andalus, an arrabal was a relatively dense urbanised area outside the city walls) in contexts securely dated to the 12th and early 13th century, spanning the rule of Ibn Mardanīš, and the early period of Almohad domination in the city. The samples were analysed by electron microprobe (EMPA) for major and minor elements and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) for trace elements. The results are examined within the context of glass production, circulation, and consumption in al-Andalus and the Islamicate Mediterranean more broadly. The results show that some of the glasses found in San Esteban-Arrixaca may have been imported from other Islamicate regions (Egypt and Mesopotamia), but that the vast majority can be related to previously recognised compositional Iberian glass groups. At the same time, the identification of several fragments of production waste and raw glass suggest that some glass-working facility may have existed in the vicinity of San Esteban-Arrixaca. The compositional evidence also indicates that recycling (including of imported glass objects) may have been a fairly common practice in Andalusi glassmaking, but it is suggested that some of the usual chemical markers of recycling may, in the case of al-Andalus and perhaps also elsewhere in the medieval Mediterranean, be the result of the cross-breeding of glass- and glaze-making activities.