An integrated mathematical model of float process

Abstract

Abstract An integrated mathematical model of the float process has been developed. This integrated model consists of a glass ribbon forming model, a float bath heat transfer model and a molten tin flow model. In the float process, glass ribbon forming and heat transfer in the bath influence each other. That is, the viscosity of the glass ribbon depends strongly on its temperature. Also, molten tin flow, which plays an important role in the bath heat transfer, is caused by glass ribbon traction and buoyancy convection. Therefore these three models are linked with one another. In the first model, the molten glass flow on the molten tin is simulated as viscous fluid flow. In the second model, three-dimensional radiative heat transfer is simulated. In the third model, three-dimensional turbulent flow of the molten tin is simulated. It is found that the simulated results are in good agreement with the measurements in the actual process. This integrated model can be used to study the mechanism in the float process, and moreover to optimize the operating conditions and to design float baths.