Question

As a financial manager of Sunlight, Inc., a company that produces and sells window glass, you have been recently asked to analyze alternatives to replacing an old furnace. In the glass-making process, before glass is formed, the glass batch - a mix of glass ingredients, which include silicon dioxide, sodium oxide, calcium oxide, and other additives - is melted at high temperature. The process can be both energy and time consuming, depending on the furnace and the volume of production.

Answer 1

The financial manager of Sunlight, Inc. needs to evaluate the replacement of an old furnace used to produce soda-lime-silica glass for windows and tableware. The primary goal is to improve the glass-making process by enhancing efficiency and reducing costs, while also considering the material properties and production techniques like glass blowing.

Step-by-step explanation:

As the financial manager of Sunlight, Inc., studying the replacement of an old furnace used in the production of window glass is crucial to enhance efficiency and cut costs in the glass-making process. The manufacturing process involves melting a glass batch, which is a mix of ingredients including silicon dioxide (SiO₂), sodium oxide (Na₂O), calcium oxide (CaO), and various additives. These components are integral to producing soda-lime-silica glass, which is commonly used for windows and tableware. This stage is energy-intensive and plays a significant role in the quality and properties of the final glass product, such as transparency and thermal expansion.

Soda-lime-silica glass contains about 70 to 74% SiO₂ by weight and is characterized by its excellent formability and clarity. However, addressing its high thermal expansion and improving resistance to heat are potential advantages of using a more efficient furnace. Replacing the old furnace might also include considerations of advanced materials like aluminosilicate glass, known for their durability and thermal resistance, albeit harder to melt and shape.