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.