Some new aspects of glass melting

摘要

The primary concerns of modern glass technology are the energetic and ecological aspects of industrial glass production. The analysis of glass melting, taking into account the main homogenisation processes, shows the applicability of intensifying melting factors other than the generally applied high temperatures. The use of controlled forced convection for dissolution processes and sub-atmospheric pressure for removing bubbles seems to reduce specific energy consumption of the process considerably or allow decreases in the size of melting furnaces. Although the results of such analyses are supported by laboratory experiments, verification at real non-isothermal conditions of flowing glass is necessary. The ability of complex mathematical models of glass-melting and glass-melting furnaces, developed during the last decade, to satisfy this need is obvious from presented examples. In addition, mathematical modelling is able to describe the behaviour of glass defects during the process and thus contributes to higher quality glass. The application of electrochemical knowledge may also contribute to improved glass melting processes.