Air Flow Patterns In The Optical Fibre Drawing Furnace

An experimental method simulating optical fibre drawing was used to examine and investigate the air flow patterns in the heating region. The setup resembled that of the actual drawing of fibres and used water as a working fluid. Flow patterns in the heating region were obtained by visual means and were further analysed using computer image processing methods. A system of anemometers was used to perform a quantitative study of the flow in the furnace. The experimental findings matched well the numberical results obtained using the PHOENICS flow simulation software package and the results are presented in graphical form.