Optimization of the physico-chemical processes occuring during the preparation of glass mix and evaluation of the effect of the mix moisture content on the efficiency of the glass-making process

Abstract

The physico-chemical processes and individual factors affecting the uniformity of the mix both when the mix components are being mixed in a mixer in a sectional line and when the mix is transported and loaded into a glass-making furnace are analyzed. The effect of moistening on mix quality in obtaining glass mix and transporting and loading the mix into the furnace by means of mix loaders is determined. The temperature factors ensuring that the mix temperature when the mix is loaded into the furnace is no lower than 35 – 40°C are determined. The degree to which mix is removed with respect to both quantity and individual components on the loading hopper and regenerators along the glass-making furnace is determined. The direction for further research on optimizing the mix preparation process in order to increase the operational efficiency of a glass-making furnace is proposed on the basis of the results obtained in the present work.