Abstract: Methods and apparatus for constructing or reconstructing refractory structures, e.g., glass furnace regenerator structures and/or glass furnace structures having walls formed of refractory block and buck stays externally supporting the walls are provided. A header support beam assembly is provided so as to extend at an angle between respective pairs of side wall buckstays. A moveable hoist moveable hoist supporting assembly supported by the header support beam assembly and moveable between the opposed pairs of side and end walls. In such a manner, refractory components, e.g., refractory wall blocks and/or checker bricks, may be hoisted into position when constructing or reconstructing the refractory structure.

Abstract: Glass furnace regenerators having opposed pairs of side and end walls formed of refractory blocks, wherein at last one of the side and end walls of the regenerator comprise an interlocking plurality of refractory blocks, and wherein the refractory blocks are self-supporting and load-bearing one-piece pre-cast structures of a refractory material. Tie back bars may be provided to operatively connect a wall formed of the refractory blocks to externally provided buckstays to allow relative movement between the refractor blocks forming the wall and the buckstays (e.g., as may be required due to the blocks undergoing thermal expansion during use).

Abstract: Glass furnace regenerators having opposed pairs of side and end walls formed of refractory blocks, wherein at last one of the side and end walls of the regenerator comprise an interlocking plurality of refractory blocks, and wherein the refractory blocks are self-supporting and load-bearing one-piece pre-cast structures of a refractory material. Tie back bars may be provided to operatively connect a wall formed of the refractory blocks to externally provided buckstays to allow relative movement between the refractor blocks forming the wall and the buckstays (e.g., as may be required due to the blocks undergoing thermal expansion during use).