Energy distribution and melting efficiency in glass melting channel: Diagram of melt flow types and effect of melt input temperature

Abstract The synergy between glass melting and glass flow character was investigated by mathematical modelling of a Joule heated glass melting channel with a central longitudinal row of vertical heating electrodes. The glass melt containing sand particles and bubbles entered the channel where different types of the melt flow were set up. The sand particle dissolution and the bubble removal were monitored up to the achievement of phenomena completion. The increasing fraction of energy supplied to the input region of the channel proved to be crucial for setting up the beneficial character of the melt flow and consequent increase of the melting performance. When the temperature of the inputting melt decreased, the melting performance also decreased. The relations of the “energetic model” were derived and applied to predict the beneficial type and conditions of the melt flow. The best results have been obtained for the flow character near the uniform flow. The beneficial state was achieved when each region of the channel was supplied by the energy needed there for glass heating and heat losses. The impact of the temperature of the inputting melt on the detailed character of the melt flow was discussed with the help of the energetic model.