One of the most interesting challenges for the glass industries is to find the method to increase the operation speed of the I.S. machine in articles per minute.
The productivity increase by the use of multy-cavities per section has been exploited up to the use of quadruple cavities. However, the process speed has been limited for most of the articles by the heat transfer, mainly by the thermal resistance existing between the mold/glass and mold/environment borders.
Mold cooling, is realized by air directed through nozzles toward the exterior surface of the mold, through orifices located vertically on the mold wall material, that when applied correctly, increases production at a low percentage at the expense of an over-expenditure of energy and other inconveniences for the operator (heat, noise, etc.).
The mold cooling by air seems to have reached its limitations. The mold cooling by liquids through the other hand, are known to have resulted in a very dramatic to cool the IS machine.
The phase change evaporative system, (U.S. Patent 4824461) uses the phase change of a liquid in a closed loop, similar to the "heat-pipe", to cover the full range of cooling which is located between the air and water cooling systems.
Basically, a few cubic centimeters of fluid (water) placed in a cooling cavities located in the mass of the mold, absorbs heat by evaporation (phase change from liquid to vapor). Steam rises through a duct that is projected upward where it condenses in the presence of a steam/water/heat exchanger and returns in counter-flow by gravity within the duct to create the cooling effect as small drops of water make contact with the mold cavities, thus, the cycle is repeated continuously.
The cooling effect is modulated as the speed of heat is interchanged at the condenser which is easily controlled in a wide range of process speed or as production speed.
This cooling method was tested at the laboratory. By a temperature control system, simulating the conditions that occur during the glass molding IS machine. The evidence to support the basic principles of operation as well as to support the basic principles of the system to remove heat from the mold, yielded positive results as to consider this as a step forward in the technology of glass molding IS machine with articles of glass where the heat removal from the molds, is the factor that determines the speed of the machine.
Cooling capability reported in laboratory tests; reflect a conservative 25% over conventional methods of air. Benefits that are obtained with this system include among others, the ability to draw heat away from the plant. This factor has a marked effect on the conditions under which the environment of the operators. The noise inside the plant, produced by the jet cooling, is removed and therefore there is an energy savings by eliminating the electric motor (300 HP) that is used to boost air cooling.
These and other features are some of the dvantages of the evaporative cooling system applied to the forming machine IS
Can someone be interested in real test. Are some one interested in manage or lead the project to find the proper industry interested in this technology and get the benefits.
Awaiting with interest
210-587-7324
Quercus53@yahoo.com
Glass mold cooling system - looking for real testing facilities
