Effect of Parameters of Isopipe on the Quality of Glass Sheet Produced from Overflow Fusion Process by Numerical Simulation

Abstract

A numerical model for simulation of molten glass flow with semi-implicit method for pressure-linked equations (SIMPLE) and Volume of fluid (VOF) method during the overflow fusion process was carried out by using FLUENT software. The effect of the geometry parameters of the isopipe and flow rate of molten glass on the flow patterns during overflow was investigated. The results showed that the overflow trough depth only had an effect on the flow rate distribution of glass melt around the inlet point. The tilt angle at the top of the trough had a significant effect on flow rate distribution along the length of the trough, and the desired mass distribution was achieved at the tilt angle 4°∼6°. The flow rate had a large influence on the overflow of the molten glass, which had a directive significance to the overflow down draw sheet manufacturing process.