Control of the pH in washwater recovery system for a glass forming line

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.