A study of the flow performance of a sodium silicate furnace

  • Peter Knott

Student thesis: Doctoral ThesisDoctor of Philosophy

Abstract

The flow characteristics of neutral sodium silicate glass in an open hearth regenerative furnace have been studied using a one tenth scale physical model. The constraints of similarity have been investigated and discussed, and the use of sodium liquor as a cold modelling solution has been developed. Methylene Blue and Sulphacid Brill Pink are used as delineators, and a technique for analysing the concentration of each even in a mixture has been developed. The residence/time distributions from the model have been simulated using a mixed model computer program which identifies the nature and size of the most significant flow streams within the furnace. The results clearly show that the model gives a true representation of the furnace and illustrates a number of alternatives for operating or design changes which will lead to improved production efficiency.
Date of Award1986
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Aston University

Keywords

  • flow performance
  • sodium silicate
  • furnace
  • physical model
  • residence time

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