Use of computer flow dynamics in glass technology

Abstract The presentation deals with an overview of the use of Computer Flow Dynamics in a simulation of glass melting tanks. The paper includes a brief look at the history of this approach and continues to the present state and development of new mathematical models. Two methods of solving difference equations, decoupled and coupled are discussed. The complex Computer Flow Dynamics (CFD) software Glass Service – Glass Furnace Model is used to demonstrate important phenomena including heat-, and mass-transfer and melting kinetics within a model for a real glass furnace. It was found that the behavior of glass melting furnaces is significantly influenced by batch melting processes including thermo-physical and kinetic properties. The simulation of batch-to-glass conversion is considered as the most complicated part of the complex mathematical model of a glass tank and therefore it is discussed in detail.