99th Glass Technology Conference - DGG
The 99th Glass-Technology Conference will gather the glass community in Würzburg, Germany on 2–3 June 2026 to discuss the latest developments in glass science and technology.
Abstract 1: How glass furnace corrosion simulation will support melting process evolution?
The evolution of melting processes in the glass industry to meet the goals of circular economy and CO2 emission reduction has a significant impact on the corrosion of glass contact refractory blocks. SEPFRO has developed finite element simulation tools for corrosion, based on the understanding of corrosion laws and the physical properties of electrofused materials, which allow for a better understanding of the evolution of corrosion profiles depending on melting conditions. We will particularly discuss the influence of furnace electrification, block cooling, and the nature of the refractories on the modification of corrosion profiles.
Abstract 2 : 10 Years of Industry 4.0 : How Close is the Glass Industry?
When the term Industry 4.0 first emerged in 2016, it described a vision of factories powered by robotics, artificial intelligence, and digital twins, a concept that felt futuristic and almost utopian. At that time, many industrial processes were still far from fully digitized, and the glass industry relied heavily on highly skilled operators to keep production running. The workforce was dominated by experienced professionals from the baby boomer generation, many with 20 to 30 years of expertise.
Fast forward ten years, and the world has changed dramatically. A global pandemic, the Paris Agreement, disruptions in global supply chains, and rising production costs have accelerated the need for transformation. This paper examines the challenges the glass industry must overcome to realize the promise of the fourth industrial revolution. It also showcases practical solutions from Glass Service, such as model-based predictive furnace control in connection with smart sensor technologies—that bring us closer to the vision of a truly smart factory.
Abstract 3 : GFM – Continuous development for better customer’s experience
The Glass Furnace Model (GFM) is an internally developed software in Glass Service, a.s. (GS) for understanding the processes in glass melting furnaces. It uses the CFD mathematical modelling approach and is perfect for evaluation and visualization of the most important parameters within the furnace (e.g. glass and combustible flows and temperatures, etc.).
As the sustainability is of a huge importance nowadays, the optimization processes in glass melting are crucial. However, to get insight into the furnace during the operation is very complicated or even impossible. This is exactly the right time for using mathematical modelling. The whole glass furnace could be simulated and any particular region of it can be examined in the model. What it basically means is that the model can predict influence of changes in furnace geometry, operational parameters, fuel used and much more without any risk of lowering the real production or even damaging the equipment.
Another way to have more sustainable production is to “go hybrid or electric” (using higher ratios of electric power instead of fossil). This again can be well simulated using GFM and an example will be discussed.
All the above mentioned targets mean a shift from “standard” furnaces (the geometry design, operational parameters, etc.) towards a new solutions. It is therefore very important also to update the modeling software so that the new solutions can be simulated. The GS development team works hard on this tightly cooperating with the customers.
