A batch charger for charging batch materials into a glass melting furnace at a level located below the level of the molten glass, including: a body including a barrel and a mechanical system for conveying batch materials, the mechanical system being housed in the barrel; and a head removably fastened to an end of the barrel, and including a slide gate damper, and a tubular connecting part fastened to the slide gate damper and configured to be at least partially inserted into a charging orifice provided in a wall of a tank of the furnace, the slide gate damper and the connecting part including a system of internal ducts that can be connected to a source of coolant. A melting installation and a process can use such a batch charger.