Glass manufacturing companies are pushing the limits on gross tons of high quality glass they are demanding from their glass furnaces, via pushing the furnaces longer and harder. The expectations for more robust refractories, timely and economical hot repairs and stable quality are now a "given". In order to accomplish this demand for longer campaign life, numerous proactive models must be placed in motion, beginning before the start of the latest campaign. Selection of robust refractories, design and operating parameter computer control systems must be implemented well before the first glass bottle ever comes off the line. In situ monitoring of the key furnace parameters throughout the campaign is vital and the consequence selection of "on-the-fly" hot repairs and the capable contractor who is selected to perform these repairs are all extremely important variables that affect both glass quality and campaign life.
