Nature of the distribution of remelted glass mass in a glass ribbon

Various indicators can be used to obtain valuable information relating to the work of glass melting furnaces and to make a quantitative evaluation of the homogeneity capability of the furnace and the stability of the convective flow routes. Studies have shown that the operating stability of VVS machines is related directly to the pattern of indicator concentration across a glass ribbon, since the distribution of inhomogeneities across the ribbon has the largest effect on the appearance of stress leading to fracture. The pattern of indicator emergence on the glass ribbon can be graphically represented as lines of equal concentration; such a device is, however, rarely used. The nature of the distribution of portions of inhomogeneous glass across the ribbons was investigated. The data presented supplement information on the behaviour of an indicator in a furnace, and make it possible to obtain a graphic picture of its distribution in a glass ribbon. It shows the entire complexity of the process of sheet glass forming from a glass mass which is in a furnace for different periods of time, and at different degrees of inhomogenisation. The method can reveal many characteristic features of indicator distribution in glass ribbons, and provides new information and a new understanding of the mass transfer curves. 8 refs.