Study on the Characteristics of Molten Glass in a Float Glass Process with a New Structure

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Industrial Processes

Background:

• The conventional single-cooler float glass process faces limitations in meeting modern demands for diverse glass types and large-scale production.
• The float glass industry is increasingly exploring innovative furnace designs to overcome these challenges.
• A large-tonnage float glass melting furnace with a double cooler has emerged as a promising development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the thermal and flow characteristics of molten glass in a novel double-cooler float glass furnace.
• To analyze the feasibility of this new furnace design for contemporary glass manufacturing requirements.
• To compare the performance of the double-cooler design against traditional single-cooler systems.

Main Methods:

• Numerical simulation techniques were employed to model and analyze the molten glass behavior.
• Key parameters studied include temperature distribution, flow fields, and thermal stability.
• Bubble clarification time and molten glass acceleration in the cooler were evaluated.

Main Results:

• The double-cooler furnace demonstrates stable flow behavior, comparable to the single-cooler design, within the branch line.
• Improved temperature stability was observed, with reduced surface-to-bottom differences in both main (60 K) and branch (43 K) lines.
• Bubble clarification time (2700 s) is within acceptable limits, and low acceleration (0.006 m/s²) was noted in the cooler.
• The branch line parameters meet the stringent requirements for glass production.

Conclusions:

• The double-cooler float glass melting furnace design is technically feasible for modern industrial applications.
• This innovative structure offers enhanced thermal and flow stability, crucial for high-quality glass manufacturing.
• The double-cooler configuration theoretically supports the simultaneous production of two distinct types of glass, expanding manufacturing capabilities.