The experimental & theoretical knowledge of industrial glass melting processes, acquired during the two last decades, opens a way to new melting concepts, characterised by high quality glass production from smaller, highly performing, flexible furnaces that have low energy consumption. Such concepts offer the potential for the production of new, high quality advanced glassy materials produced in small scale melting facilities. The key to successful developments lies in melting process analysis, partially free from industrial experience. The work presents a method for evaluating the effects of temperature, process time, flow conditions & insulation in a model melting space (simulating a melting tank) on energy consumption, melting performance & flexibility of the process to convert rapidly from one glass to another type of glass, in terms of dissolution.
