Investigation into glass tank geometries by means of a mathematical model

Abstract

On the basis of fundamental studies of the mechanisms of the glass melting process, a mathematical model of the flow and heat transfer in glass tank furnaces is proposed. The results obtained from the mathematical model agree well with those obtained from an earlier developed physical model. Investigations of different glass tank geometries were performed by means of this mathematical model. The temperature and flow velocity profiles of the glass melt as well as the back-flow coefficient for various types of glass tank geometries were calculated based on the mathematical model. The optimum location of a weir in a container glass tank was studied. The decrease of the depth of the conditioning zone and the installation of a weir at the entrance of the neck have also been considered for a float glass tank. From the analysis of the mathematical model, an improved energy-saving glass furnace construction is put forward. The results of the described mathematical model are expected to be valuable in the design as well as in the research and development of glass tank furnaces.