Modeling of the bubble population in glass melts

Abstract

Previous studies of refining models have mostly dealt with the mathematical description of the behavior of individual bubbles in glass melts. A further step was the modeling of the ascent and growth of groups of bubbles, including restrictions with respect to the spatial distribution of the individual bubbles. Even though no algorithm was derived in this stage which described the total bubble balance during refining, these investigations have produced important results in the field of bubble growth and ascent. In this study, a general and comprehensive mathematical description of the bubble population during refining shall be given, on the basis of the population balance equation used in chemical engineering. The general balance equation for bubbles during refining is presented together with the corresponding computer model. Several experimental investigations into bubble size distribution are described, together with an analysis of the reduction of the bubble concentration in the pot. The obtained values were used as initial parameters and estimates in computer simulations. Some special results of modeling are shown and discussed.