Simulation of tin penetration process in the surface layer of soda-lime-silica float glass

Based on the analysis of tin penetration mechanism in the float glass process, the oxidation model of stannous ion is constructed considering the oxygen activity and the redox reaction in the glass surface layer. The calculation of stannous ion’s oxidation rate makes it possible to predict both stannous and stannic ion’s concentrations independently. And it is also the necessary precondition for the numerical verification of tin penetration mechanism. Coupled diffusion simulation method is established to simulate the penetration process of both stannous and stannic ions simultaneously. The result shows that when the green glass is formed in the reducing atmosphere in tin bath, the stannic ion is accumulated at the position where oxygen activity changes sharply. Satellite peak (internal local concentration maximum) occurs in the tin concentration profile of green glass, which is quite different from that in low iron glass. Compared with gradually cooling temperature regulation, the tin penetrated shifts to greater depth and the depth and magnitude of the satellite peak also increase when reheating temperature regulation is applied. In order to reduce the amount of penetrated tin, the residual time in the high temperature region should be shortened.