Estimation of mixing characteristics of the molten glass in furnace and fore hearth of a solar glass production unit using radiotracer

The production of solar glass panel is a complex process and glass technologists are always developing new methodologies for improving the glass quality and process efficacy. The flow dynamics of the molten glass in glass production unit were characterized by its mean residence time (MRT), flow patterns, dead volume and flow abnormalities. The understanding of these parameters is crucial for troubleshooting, process optimization, estimation of glass quality and validation of design flow dynamics codes. Two main sub-units controlling quality of glass in the solar glass production unit are furnace and fore hearth. In the present study flow dynamics of molten glass was studied in furnace and fore hearth of solar glass production unit by measuring residence time distribution (RTD) of molten glass. The molten glass holding capacity of the furnace and the fore hearth are 519.44 tonnes and 16.66 tonnes, respectively. For the measurement of RTD of furnace and fore hearth about 6.66 GBq of ¹⁴⁰La as La₂O₃ was injected instantaneously at the inlet of the glass production and measured at strategic location of solar glass production unit using collimated water cooled NaI (Tl) detectors. The radiotracer concentration curves observed at various locations was corrected for various corrections to obtain flow parameters