Simulation of Fabrication Process of Hollow Glass Microspheres by Sol-Gel Technology
QI Xiao-bo, ZHANG Zhan-wen， LI Bo, CHEN Su-fen, SHI Tao,
Research Center of Laser Fusion, China Academy of Engineering Physics Research Center of Laser Fusion, China Academy of Engineering Physics Research Center of Laser Fusion, China Academy of Engineering Physics Research Center of Laser Fusion, China Academy of Engineering Physics Research Center of Laser Fusion, China Academy of Engineering Physics
Abstract：Based on the analysis of heat, mass and momentum transfer in the transformation process from dried gel particles to hollow glass microspheres, a mathematic model was established to simulate the temperature, mass, velocity and diameter of particle/microsphere in the transformation process. The temperature difference and heat transfer coefficient between furnace and particle/microsphere was also investigated. The results show that in the heating and encapsulating stages, the surface of dried gel particles have extremely high heating-up rate (1000~2000℃/s), and consequently the encapsulation process can be completed in very short time (<1 s) and distance (<4.5 cm). The cooling rate of liquid glass microspheres can not be improved by increasing the heat transfer rate of furnace atmosphere, since the cooling rate of liquid glass microspheres depends on the axial temperature gradient of cooling zone of drop-tower furnace. The simulation results agree well with the experimental results.
2010, Vol. 10 
