The aim of this paper is to scientifically understand the operation of the plunger cooling system and quantify the heat transferred from the parison to the plunger during the glass container production process. The paper highlights the results attained and the problems encountered during this investigation. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the cooling air flowing within the plunger cooling tube system used experimental data obtained from both the laboratory test rig and container manufacturing process on the shop floor. Preliminary results attained demonstrated choking together with recirculation of air in some areas along the airflow passage. This confirmed previous findings that areas of excessive tool temperature and rapid tool wear were caused by the ineffective heat extraction. The ineffective heat extraction can be attributed to the poor circulation of cooling air in the plunger. It was concluded that the cooling tube design should be reassessed to improve the airflow in the plunger cooling tube system.
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