Simulation of glass furnace with increased production by increasing fuel supply and introducing electric boosting

Based on the furnace with production of 600 t/d, two methods of increasing fuel supply and introducing electric boosting are investigated to increase glass production. The heat flux from combustion chamber to glass tank, temperature distribution of glass furnace, and the glass convection flow are presented, which influences the performance of glass furnace. The glass quality is evaluated with the melting index and mixing index, while the efficiencies of batch melting process and fining process are evaluated with the sand dissolution index and fining index, respectively. The results show that the method of increasing fuel supply is appropriate and efficient to increase the production less than 650 t/d. To further increase production about 700 t/d, the method of introducing electric power is preferred on the condition that the glass quality and lifetime of glass furnace are ensured. Optimization of furnace design and electric boosting parameters are required for the production more than 700 t/d. This investigation is expected to guide the optimized design of glass furnace to increase glass production.