Methods and systems for monitoring glass and/or foam density as a function of vertical position within a vessel

A method comprising:

• generating a turbulent molten foamed glass comprising molten glass and bubbles entrained therein and/or a layer of glass foam on a top surface thereof in a submerged combustion melter, the melter comprising at least a floor and a sidewall structure defining an internal space sufficient for containing the turbulent molten foamed glass;
• transferring at least a portion of the molten foamed glass into a downstream apparatus positioned downstream of the submerged combustion melter, the downstream apparatus comprising at least a floor and a sidewall structure defining an internal space sufficient for containing a non-flowing or flowing stream of the molten foamed glass;
• and
• determining density as a function of distance from a structural feature of the turbulent molten foamed glass in the melter, the downstream apparatus or both, using one or more electromagnetic (EM) wave-based sensors.

A method comprising:

• generating a turbulent molten foamed glass comprising molten glass and bubbles entrained therein and/or a layer of glass foam on a top surface thereof in a submerged combustion melter, the melter comprising at least a floor and a sidewall structure defining an internal space sufficient for containing the turbulent molten foamed glass;
• transferring at least a portion of the molten foamed glass into a downstream apparatus positioned downstream of the submerged combustion melter, the downstream apparatus comprising at least a floor and a sidewall structure defining an internal space sufficient for containing a non-flowing or flowing stream of the molten foamed glass;
• and
• determining density in a particular location in the melter or in the downstream apparatus, or both, using a stationary EM source and a stationary EM detector.

A system comprising:

• a melter comprising a floor, a roof, and a wall structure connecting the floor and roof, configured to generate a molten foamed glass comprising molten glass and bubbles entrained therein and/or a layer of glass foam on a top surface thereof;
• a downstream apparatus positioned downstream of and fluidly connected to the melter, the downstream apparatus comprising at least a floor and a sidewall structure defining an internal space sufficient for containing a non-flowing or flowing stream of the molten foamed glass;
• and
• one or more EM wave-based sensors a configured and positioned to determine density of the molten foamed glass in either the melter, the downstream apparatus, or both as a function of distance from a structural feature of the melter or downstream apparatus, or both.

A system comprising:

• a submerged combustion melter comprising a floor, a roof, and a melter sidewall structure connecting the floor and roof, the melter configured to define an internal space for generating a turbulent molten foamed glass, the submerged combustion melter comprising at least one combustion burner positioned in the floor, the roof, and/or the sidewall structure from which emanates combustion products that intimately contact the molten foamed glass and provide the turbulent molten foamed glass;
• a downstream apparatus positioned downstream of and fluidly connected to the submerged combustion melter, the downstream apparatus comprising at least a floor and a sidewall structure defining an internal space sufficient for containing a non-flowing or flowing stream of the molten foamed glass, the foamed glass having a density gradient;
• and
• one or more EM wave-based sensors a configured and positioned to determine density of the molten foamed glass in either the melter, the downstream apparatus, or both as a function of distance from a structural feature of the melter or downstream apparatus, or both.

A system comprising:

• a melter comprising a floor, a roof, and a wall structure connecting the floor and roof, configured to generate a molten foamed glass comprising molten glass and bubbles entrained therein and/or a layer of glass foam on a top surface thereof;
• a downstream apparatus positioned downstream of and fluidly connected to the melter, the downstream apparatus comprising at least a floor and a sidewall structure defining an internal space sufficient for containing a non-flowing or flowing stream of the molten foamed glass, the foamed glass having a density gradient;
• and
• one or more electromagnetic (EM) wave-based sensors a configured and positioned to determine density at a particular location in the melter or downstream apparatus, or both.