3D fluid flow regularity in a float glass furnace. Part 1. Thermal asymmetry phenomena at the bottom of the working chamber

摘要

This study examines a float glass furnace model with an asymmetric lateral temperature distribution and a variable temperature difference at the bottom of the working chamber using the FLOTRAN module of the ANSYS software package. Temperature fluctuations induced by the local density gradient fluctuations result in the redistribution of the main part of the flow. Simulated results suggest that part of the backward flowing fluid at the bottom of the furnace flows into the upper forward flowing fluid and then flows out of furnace when the temperature difference exceeds 24 K, seriously affecting the uniformity of the glass. The stripe images obtained from a typical float glass furnace show remarkable consistency with the simulation results. Furthermore, the increased flow of cycle II and the energy consumption induced by the abnormal flow are calculated. This work is of great significance in understanding the float glass liquid flow regularity and can be used as guides in actual production.