Knowledge and control of the vortex flow in melting systems play an essential role in improving the homogenisation of glass melts. Although from a historical perspective the influence and effect of electromagnetic forces on the melt flow is not a new technique it still has no industrial application. This paper addresses this alternative method resulting from the application of Lorentz forces. So called external Lorentz forces are generated by the interaction of an electric current density and a magnetic flux density realised by direct electric heating via electrodes and an external magnet system. Experimental results on the electromagnetic modification of the flow in stacked melts in a crucible, using coloured and colourless glass are presented. In addition the temperature fluctuations enabled the calculation of the velocity and the direction of the flow in the melts by the application of cross-correlation. The results show an enhanced thermal homogenisation of the glass melts by the external Lorentz forces and provide possibilities for the optimisation of glass production using magneto-hydrodynamic effects.
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