Feasibility of In-Situ Process Monitoring of Glass Melt in Industrial Furnace using Microwaves

Non-contact measurement of the level of molten glass is demonstrated in an engineering scale induction-heated glass melter using microwaves. The microwave sensor is a corrugated horn used in mono static RADAR (RAdio Detection and Ranging) mode operating over 20 to 24 GHz with 20 dB gain. The ability to measure the level of the glass melt is demonstrated using an off-centered port in an induction glass melting furnace.