Method of evaluation for the dwell-time analysis on glass melting tanks

Abstract

A new method of evaluation is introduced for the dwell-time analysis on glass melting tanks. The basis of the description is the ideal mixer and the ideal plug flow as well as four more basic models thereof with return flow. The real dwell-time behavior of the tank is approximately described by appropriately combining these six basic models. The evaluation supplies information about the portion and the type of the subsystems of the tank, about the mean dwell times and about the portions of the return flows. The method is introduced by means of two examples. The evaluation shows that a satisfactory description can be achieved of the tracer curves measured with return flow in the large partial units of melting tank and refining tank.