REVIEW OF 3-DIMENSIONAL MATHEMATICAL-MODELING OF GLASS MELTING

Incentives for simulating flow patterns and heat transfer in glass mel ting furnaces are discussed, and model idealizations, input data needs and desired outputs are reviewed. Current three-dimensional mathemati cal models for simulating now and heat transfer processes in grass mel ting furnaces are summarized and some sample results for flow and ther mal structures are presented. Advantages and disadvantages of physical and mathematical modeling of glass melting furnaces are compared. Dat a needed to resolve some remaining technical issues are identified. Cl osing remarks are included on some remaining challenges, such as effec tive presentation of the immense amount of computer-generated data for the furnace designer/operator and interpretation of the results for t he purpose of improving glass quality and productivity.