Radiation pyrometry of glass during the container forming process

When a narrowband infrared radiation pyrometer is used to measure glass temperature during the container forming process, the effects of glass color and thickness, pyrometer operating wavelength and emissivity setting, and background conditions must be considered when interpreting the results. A mathematical model is used to investigate the relative errors that these effects introduce into the measured temperature results. Techniques for controlling and/or compensating for them are suggested. Results are presented for both soda/lime flint and amber glasses with widely different infrared transmission characteristics, as well as for three different pyrometer operating wavelengths covering three distinct regions of their transmission spectrums. A temperature correction chart for indicated pyrometer readings is also presented.<>