Mixed transfer processes in glass technology

Abstract The possibilities of mathematical simulation of the mixed transfer phenomena associated with some technological processes in glass industry are analysed. Onecan demonstrate that some simplifying hypotheses which avoid the considerable difficulties on mathematical treatment of the processes involving at the same time both momentum and energy transport (mixed transfer processes), may be taken into account. The developed mathematical method enables to define the involved non-dimensional criteria and emphasis that these are common to a broad category of technological processes in glass technology. The development of a phenomenological analysis of mixed transfer processes based on mathematical modelling but also including the consideration of experimental observations, enables to make obviously the phenomena which impose the field of stability of the processes. The use of the method is illustrated in the case of fiber drawing from bushing when, finally, led to the determination of the best spinning field. The method can also be applied to the simulation of a broad class of drawing and stretching processes, e.g. window glass drawing, rod or tube drawing and stretching, etc.