Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method of preparing a reinforced refractory joint between refractory sections of a vessel used for containing or conveying molten metal, e.g. a metal-contacting trough. The method involves introducing a mesh body made of metal wires into a gap between metal-contacting surfaces of adjacent refractory sections of a vessel so that the mesh body is positioned beneath the metal conveying surfaces, and covering the mesh body with a layer of moldable refractory material to seal the gap between the metal-contacting surfaces. Other embodiments relate to a vessel formed by the method and a vessel section with a pre-positioned mesh body suitable for preparing a sealed joint with other such sections.

Abstract: A mold dimensioned to be positioned within a refractory-lined tundish. The mold has an upper wall and a side wall extending downwardly from the upper wall, the side wall having a shape generally conforming to the shape of the internal cavity of the tundish and having a lower end formed to rest on the refractory lining on the bottom wall of the refractory-lined tundish. The upper wall and side wall define an interior chamber. The side wall of the mold and the refractory lining on the sloping wall of the tundish form a gap therebetween. The gap extends around the mold, the mold being dimensioned such that the gap between the side wall of the mold and the refractory lining on the side wall of the tundish is wider at an upper portion of the internal cavity than at a lower portion of the cavity. A heating means extends through the upper wall of the mold for heating the interior chamber of the mold.

Abstract: A fixture (30) adapted to permit the heated exchange of a liner (14) from an operating vertical furnace (10). The fixture is adapted to secure to the base of the liner (14) to both unlock and lower the heated liner, such as a silicon carbide liner, at an controlled rate. The fixture is also adapted to elevate a new liner into the operating vertical furnace at a controlled rate to control the rate of heating of the liner as it is inserted into the operating vertical furnace. The fixture includes an inner ring (34), a low-friction Teflon® ring (36), and an outer ring (38) permitting the rotation of the inner ring within the outer ring. Advantageously, the low friction ring comprises a flanged portion and a vertical portion allowing rotation of the inner ring within the outer ring even when elevated at extreme temperatures exceeding 500° C.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided whereby pumpable viscous fibrous material may be applied onto surfaces of high temperature process vessels while hot (i.e., while at or near such vessels' high operational temperatures of several hundreds up to several thousands of degrees Fahrenheit). More specifically, there are preferably provided a lance having a nozzle structure at a distal end thereof, and a pump system for pumping a pumpable fibrous refractory material to the nozzle. The lance has a length sufficient to allow it to be inserted into the high temperature process vessel so that the nozzle structure is adjacent an area in need of repair while an operator holds a proximal end thereof outside the vessel.

Abstract: A refractory lining is formed in a furnace by providing a carrier for a lining form which has dimensions that provide a uniform space for the introduction of refractory material when the lining form is concentrically located within the furnace. The carrier concentrically engages and is attached to the lining form, and includes a portion that engages the furnace and locates the carrier and the lining form, when attached, concentrically within the furnace to provide a uniform space therebetween. The carrier can also have an upper surface that slopes downwardly from adjacent its center to its periphery to convey particulate refractory material poured onto the surface into the space between the lining form and the furnace. Further, a fixture is provided to hold the lining form concentric while the particulate refractory material is compacted by vibration.

Abstract: A silicon nitride crucible is coated with a crucible release coating for use in directional solidification of multicrystalline silicon ingots. The crucible preferably includes reaction bonded silicon nitride crucible. After removing the silicon ingot, the release coating is easily removed and the crucible can be repeatedly recoated and reused.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and systems for inspecting and repairing vessels include a laser used to project a laser beam into a hot furnace or vessel, a laser reader to measure a point cloud formed when the laser light reflects from the wall of the furnace, means for selecting those points in the cloud that are more relevant, and using the points to produce a 3D image that corresponds to the geometry of the interior of the furnace or vessel. The disclosed systems and methods further include means for comparing the 3D geometric data corresponding to the interior of the vessel with 3D geometric data provided as a reference, generating a 3D repair trace based on the comparison, and controlling a spray gun for applying refractory material according to the trace by taking into account a set of physical variables related to the vessel and the refractory material.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention comprises an adjustable form adapted for use in creating a refractory lining in a metallurgical vessel. The form includes a substructure defined by a plurality of struts and braces covered on its exterior perimeter by a plurality of panels. A plurality of connectors permits variation of the substructures exterior perimeter. The panels are secured to the substructure so that alteration of the shape of the substructure causes the affected panels to slide over one another. Advantageously, the panels remain free of fasteners or other protrusions, thereby facilitating removal of the apparatus from the vessel after the lining has hardened.

Abstract: An improved process of curing resin-bonded refractory brick lining of a ladle within a housing by heating the brick in air at an effective temperature to produce resin vapors and transferring the vapors from the ladle comprising transferring the vapors at a temperature above the condensation temperature of the transferred vapors to an auxiliary burner to effect combustion of the transferred vapors to produce non-toxic gases. The process provides an efficacious and environmentally sound treatment of resin-bonded refractory bricks.

Abstract: A method of relining a vessel that is used to carry out a direct smelting process that produces molten metal under conditions requiring molten bath temperatures of at least 1000° C. is disclosed. The vessel is of the type that has a floor that is refractory lined, a side wall that is at least partially refractory lined, and a top wall, and at least two access openings to the interior of the vessel. The relining method includes the steps of cooling down the vessel, gaining access to the interior of the vessel via the access openings, relining the vessel, and re-starting operation of the process in a period of time of 21 or less days.

Abstract: A moving hearth is formed by providing a layer of hearth material primarily composed of iron oxide on a base refractory in a reducing furnace and then sintering the hearth material so that the sintered moving hearth is not melted at an operational temperature in a reducing step. The moving hearth is more easily constructed compared to providing a shaped or amorphous refractory on the base refractory, has high durability, and can maintain surface flatness during operation.

Abstract: A spacing tool to be inserted between a form and a foundry furnace during installation of the form in the foundry furnace comprises a first longitudinally extending member to contact the foundry furnace. A second longitudinally extending member is coupled to the first member. The first and second members define opposed surfaces to contact the form and foundry furnace respectively. The second member is moveable relative to the first member to alter the distance between the opposed surfaces and set the spacing between the form and the foundry furnace. During a foundry furnace relining process, a plurality of spacing tools are used at circumferentially spaced locations to center the form within the foundry furnace.

Abstract: When the wall and bottom of a steel casting and handling ladle are provided at the same time with a refractory monolithic lining, the lining in the lower area of the wall is often damaged during intermediate repairs of the bottom. According to a new process, wall and bottom are lined one after the other. A hose-like inflatable sealing body is secured to the bottom part of the template 4 when beginning to introduce the casting mass in the wall area and is inflated so that it seals the template 4 up to the height that corresponds to the desired thickness of the bottom. As soon as the casting mass in the lower wall area is sufficiently set, the sealing body 2 is deflated and removed, then the refractory casting mass is introduced into the bottom area up to the desired height. This process is suitable for steel casting and handling ladles and for similar metallurgical vessels.

Abstract: It was difficult until now to carry out intermediate repairs of monolithic refractory lining walls of steel casting and handling ladles when the slag area of the lining was worn before other areas. According to this new process for reconstructing the refractory lining in the upper area of the wall, repairs may be economically carried out in that the gap between the lower end of the template and the lining that projects under the area to be reconstructed is sealed by inflating a hose-like sealing body and by deflating again the sealing body before removing the template. This process is useful for steel casting and handling ladles and for similar metallurgical vessels.

Abstract: A method is provided for installing a refractory lining in a blast furnace or other metallurgical vessel. A consumable form is installed along an inner surface of an outer shell of the metallurgical vessel. The consumable form is spaced apart from the outer shell. The metallurgical vessel is then filled with burden, which supports the consumable form. Casting composition may then be inserted between the consumable form and the outer shell. The casting composition is heated for a period of time before the burden is ignited. Cables which are lowered from the top of the vessel and secured at a lower end of the vessel may be used. Tubes mounted on panels may be threaded along the cables to position the panels in constructing the consumable form.

Abstract: A method for repairing industrial facilities at high temperatures using at least one prefabricated element made of a -mullite-crystallized refractory product with an alumina content of 30-85%, preferably 50-80%, made of refractory materials securely attached to the structure of the facility by using an oxygen containing carrier gas stream to spray a mixture of particles capable of exothermically reacting with the oxygen and particles of a refractory material, whereby a coherent refractory mass is formed in situ for attaching said element to said structure.

Abstract: A circular, surface-coating application of sprayable composition or mortar is achieved through a rotatable spray head with at least one lateral discharge opening. The composition or mortar is distributed as uniformly and over as large a surface area as possible in the vicinity of the spray head. The spray head is moved axially forwards and back in an axial direction through the same distance during conveying of the composition or mortar and is rotated automatically through the same angular distance about the axis.

Abstract: A process for coating the walls of a steelmaking vessel with slag between heats to protect the refractory liming of the vessel uses coolant in the form of recycled slag as a substitute for fluxes such as lime and dolime to cool and thicken slags which are otherwise too fluid to produce an acceptable slag coat.

Abstract: A process for repairing bottom linings of D.C. arc furnaces. A refractory ceramic mass is used for lining the bottoms of D.C. arc furnaces in the area of metallic electrodes placed therein, wherein the refractory ceramic mass comprises one or more refractory oxides, in a grain fraction of less than 8 mm and 10 to 40 wt. % of finely dispersed metallic additives in a grain fraction of less than 0.1 mm, for lining bottoms of D.C. furnaces in the area of metallic electrodes, placed within said bottoms to insure an electrically conductive contact between the refractory ceramic mass and the metallic electrodes.

Abstract: A method for placing a thixotropic low-cement castable refractory material without the necessity for forms. A low-cement castable material is mixed with a measured amount of water, then is pumped hydraulically through a hose to a nozzle assembly. Compressed air and a cement setting agent are added to the mixture at the nozzle. The addition of the setting agent at the nozzle overcomes the thixotropic nature of the low-cement castable, so that it will immediately "set" in position when sprayed onto a surface, including vertical and overhead surfaces.

Abstract: Refractory material is applied to the interior surface of a vessel by advancing a boom carriage on a frame positioned externally of the vessel through an opening in the vessel. The boom carriage supports a collapsed telescoping mast and a nozzle boom. The carriage supporting the mast and nozzle boom is advanced through the opening to an elevated position within the vessel. At the end of travel of the boom carriage, the telescoping mast is pivoted through approximately 90.degree. to a vertical position and the nozzle boom is pivoted to a position perpendicular to the mast. The mast is progressively extended as the nozzle boom is rotated and refractory material is sprayed from a nozzle assembly on the end of the boom onto the vessel interior surface. The nozzle boom is transversely and pivotally movable on the mast to adjust the position of the nozzle assembly to follow the irregular contour on the interior surface as the mast is telescopically advanced or retracted.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an open top, walled member for containing a molten metal, including the steps of forming an inner wall of a mold with a metal sheet and an inner lining covering the sheet, wherein the inner wall defines an inside surface of the walled member and transferring a casting compound between an outer wall of the mold and the inner lining of the inner wall to form the walled member. The metal sheet and inner lining are then removed to allow one to apply heat to dry the casting compound. In the case where the metal sheet includes a plurality of openings, one may also retain the inner wall during the heating step. The heat to dry the casting compound is applied to the inner lining to a sufficient temperature to melt the inner lining and uncover said openings of the metal sheet. The metal sheet is removed when the casting compound is dried.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an open top, walled member for containing a molten metal, especially a flowing molten metal or reconstructing a worn or damaged member. The method includes the step of forming the inner walls of a mold which define the inner surfaces of the walled member of an open metal mesh screen which is meltable by the molten metal which is to be contained. The next step is to transfer, usually by pumping, an alumina-silicon carbide casting compound into the space between the open mesh metal screen and the outer walls defining the mold, which outer walls may be in situ structures. If an existing walled member is being repaired, any damaged or worn portions of the existing walled member are removed and the casting compound is poured in to replace these portions. The next step is to apply heat to dry the casting compound while the open mesh screen of the mold remains in place in contact with the casting compound.

Abstract: An improved castable refractory composition having excellent resistance to attack from slag can be efficiently transported to a destination, such as a mold, using a pump. The castable refractory composition includes about 36-92% by weight silicon carbide, about 8-20% by weight of a colloidal silica binder, and a balance substantially of other refractory materials which can include alumina, microsilica, graphite, and a setting agent. The composition of the invention can be used alone or in addition to a conventional refractory casting material to form a refractory lining. When used together, the conventional refractory composition is used to construct a lower layer in the refractory lining, and the composition of the invention is used to construct an upper refractory layer above the lower layer.

Abstract: An adjustable form used for forming or repairing a refractory lining includes an adjustable frame constructed from a plurality of intersecting beams, at least some of which are adjustable, and a form connected to the adjustable frame. The frame can be adjusted in at least one direction and, preferably, in more than one direction. By properly adjusting the frame, the adjustable form can be used to form a refractory lining in different metal containment devices varying in dimensions, and can also be used to repair existing refractory linings. The adjustable form is inserted into a metal containment device at a distance from the floor and walls of the metal containment device, and refractory material is poured into the space between the adjustable form and the metal containment device.

Abstract: A process for cleaning a surface of a refractory structure which is at an elevated temperature, including projecting against the surface a comburent gas stream which is a powder stream including fuel particles carried in an oxygen-containing carrier gas the comburent gas stream impinging upon the surface at an impingement zone, whereby the fuel particles are caused or allowed to burn in a reaction zone defined generally around the impingement zone and the heat generated by the combustion of the fuel particles causes the surface or material adhered thereto to melt and provide a melted material, and projecting a scouring stream including oxygen simultaneously or alternately at the surface to scour the surface in the vicinity of the reaction zone and thereby clean the surface due to the scouring stream blowing away the melted material.

Abstract: An automated installation for lining a wall of an enclosure with brickwork is presented. This installation comprises a brick laying robot, a depalletizing module, a lifting module, a supply module and a centering ring module. At the level of the centering module which is installed on a working platform, a device for the sequential transfer of the bricks transfers the bricks into a centering position at the periphery of the working platform. In this centering position, the bricks are centered before the brick-laying robot comes to take them up.

Abstract: A cast refractory and back-up insulation are positioned on a lifting frame for convenient placement in, and removal from, the furnace shell of an aluminum or other metal refining system. Furnace lining replacement is thereby readily accomplished at the operational location of the furnace.

Abstract: An expendable lining may be applied over the interior walls of a metal handling vessel for molten metal, e.g. a tundish. The expendable lining is usually applied over a relatively permanent, e.g. refractory brick, lining.If the expendable lining is formed by placing a suitable former inside the vessel to define a space corresponding to the desired lining, filling the space with particulate refractory material and heating, it has been found difficult to provide adequately uniform heating and to avoid distortion of the former.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metallurgical vessel, in particular a transport ladle or a treating ladle, for the production of steel with a bottom (2b) having a refractory lining (3) with a basic working layer (5). In order to create a durable lining it is provided that the working layer (5) consists at least in part of dry basic bulk material, the upper side of which is covered, before the vessel (1) is heated for the first time, by a chemically hardened protective layer (6) and which, after the vessel (1) has been filled, is partly present as a monolithic layer or the upper side of the working layer (5) is covered, before the vessel (1) is charged for the first time, by a monolithically fritted basic layer formed by heating the bulk material. The invention furthermore relates to a method of making the refractory linings of such vessels.

Abstract: A process for renewing the refractory lining of a ladle for casting steel and of similar metallurgical vessels. While the ladle (10) is still hot, the slag (S) still adhering to the inner surface (26) is melted off from the remaining lining (2) with the aid of a high-temperature burner (9) operating under reducing conditions and allowed to run out of the ladle (10) in the molten condition. After cooling, the glassy surface of the remaining lining (2) is roughened. The new refractory lining (30) is then applied by casting, with the aid of a template.

Abstract: In ceramic welding processes, oxidising gas and a mixture of refractory and fuel powders are projected against a surface and the fuel is burnt to generate sufficient heat that the refractory powder becomes at least partially melted or softened and a cohesive refractory mass is progressively built up against that surface. In order to reduce any tendency for the weld mass to include a low-grade refractory phase and thus promote the refractoriness of that weld mass, the fuel powder is present in a proportion of not more than 15% by weight of the total mixture and includes at least two metals selected from aluminium, magnesium, chromium and zirconium, and in that at least the major part by weight of the refractory powder consists of one or more of magnesia, alumina and chromic oxide, and in that the molar proportions of silica and calcium oxide present in the refractory powder (if any) satisfy the following expression: molar concentration of SiO.sub.2 in % .ltoreq.0.

Abstract: A method for repairing a hot-blast, long-time cupola furnace by removing residual slag and relining the cupola furnace including feeding liquid nitrogen to the cupola furnace immediately at the end of a smelting operation and simultaneously with the feeding of the liquid nitrogen, removing residual slag from the furnace. The furnace is cooled with liquid nitrogen until the furnace reaches a temperature of less than or equal to 40.degree. C. after which the furnace is relined with fresh refractory tamping compound.

Abstract: Apparatus for repairing a refractory body, such as a furnace wall by projecting combustible particles in an oxygen-rich carrier gas against such body to cause oxidation of combustible particles in a reaction zone adjacent such body and thereby the generation of heat required for dressing such body or forming a refractory weld mass thereon, wherein the combustible particles are introduced into a first gas and oxygen-rich gas is forced through an entrainment zone 6 in which it produces an aspirating effect whereby a flow of combustible particles and first gas is induced into the entrainment zone 6 and the induced flow of combustible particles and first gas is carried along a conduit 9 and a lance 21 with the oxygen-rich gas to the reaction zone.

Abstract: The device mounted at the end of an operating arm comprises one or more suckers for supporting objects, for example refractory bricks for the brick-lining of a metallurgical converter, means for linear and angular displacement of the suckers, sensors for monitoring and controlling automatically the means of displacement in order to grip and position the objects in a predetermined location, after immobilization of the operating arm. The suckers are provided on a sucker-carrying plate which in its turn is supported by a pair of blocks which can slide in transverse slide bars of a carriage which comprises a pair of longitudinal slide bars, perpendicular to the transverse slide bars and housed in sliding fashion in a central support attached to the end of the operating arm with a degree of angular freedom and a degree of linear freedom orthogonal to the axes of the longitudinal and transverse slide bars.

Abstract: The method for forming a lining on the internal faces (2) of a metallurgical vessel (1) for receiving molten metal involves the following steps:a) at least one movable wall (3) is positioned at a predetermined distance from the internal face (2) of said vessel,b) a composition (4) containing at least one powdered refractory material is introduced between the face (2) of the vessel and the movable wall (3),c) said powdered material is heated so as to agglomerate at least that surface which is intended to come into contact with molten steel,d) said movable wall (3) is displaced and the aforementioned steps are repeated in order to obtain a continuous lining on the internal faces of the vessel.

Abstract: A metallurgical vessel (1) whose inner walls to be lined are relatively hot is placed on a suitable support; the support is tilted and the metallurgical vessel (1) is brought successively into a number of different positions, in each of which an inner wall or a part of wall of the vessel is substantially horizontal and turned upwards; in each of the abovementioned positions at least one layer of a substantially dry material comprising a mixture of refractory particles and a binder of the thermosetting or equivalent type is spread on the inner wall or part of wall, the composition and the particle size range of the mixture of refractory particles being such that this mixture sinters in contact with the liquid metal, and this material is spread out so as to form a substantially uniform layer, the inner walls of the vessel being initially at a sufficient temperature to be able to heat the material deposited on them to a temperature permitting the softening and the setting of the binder of thermosetting or equiva

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of an expendable inner lining (13) over the relatively permanent refractory lining (11) of a molten metal handling vessel (10), in which venting means (25) are provided to aid venting and drying of the slurry from which the expendable lining is formed.Strips (12) of removable material are applied to the surface of the permanent lining (11) and the slurry is applied over the strips and over the remainder of the surface of the permanent lining. After drying of the slurry, the strips (12) are removed to leave vent channels (25).The removable strips may be of heat-consumable material so that they are destroyed by heating. Alternatively they may be removable and re-usable.

Abstract: A method of repairing an eroded refractory wall pierced by one or more openings using a ceramic welding technique. A member of shape substantially complementary to the desired shape of the repaired opening is placed into each opening so that the member projects from the refractory wall by an extent at least equal to the local depth of erosion. Such complementarily-shaped member is so composed that it is adapted to withstand ceramic welding temperatures. A desired refractory repair mass is built up, by ceramic welding, adherent to the eroded wall and surrounding the complementarily-shaped members(s) while leaving its end or their ends exposed, and the complementarily-shaped member(s) is or are thereafter removed from the repaired openings(s). Such complementarily-shaped member may, for example, be of refractory carbon or of steel, such as stainless steel. Such a steel member may be tubular for the circulation of coolant.

Abstract: A process of repairing a refractory body, including the steps of a. introducing combustible particles into a first gas stream containing no more than 18% oxygen by volume; b. causing an oxygen-rich gas stream to flow through a particle entrainment zone into a reaction zone adjacent a refractory body to be repaired so as to produce an aspirating effect within the particle entrainment zone effective to induce a flow of the first gas stream containing the combustible particles into the particle entrainment zone and through to the reaction zone; and c. projecting the combustible particles entrained in the oxygen-rich gas stream against the refractory body to cause oxidation of the combustible particles in the reaction zone adjacent the refractory body and generate sufficient heat for one of dressing the refractory body or forming a refractory weld mass thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning refractory-lined conveyor troughs for conveying molten metals and slags has a rail-guided carriage that extends across the trough and travels along the length of the trough, with a cleaning head supported by the carriage. Two wheels on the carriage travel along a guide rail on one side of the trough while a non-powered idler roller on the carraige travels along the other side. Lateral, opposed, rotatable guide rollers are provided on each side of the guide rail adjacent each wheel. Metal plates are situated in the floor beneath the guide rail, while small plates and/or shims are provided to compensate for irregularities between the guide rail and the metal plates.

Abstract: Automated installation for the laying for masonry on a wall, especially of a converter, comprising an operating station with a work plateform movable vertically inside the enclosure and capable of rotating about the vertical axis of the latter, areas for the simultaneous storage of two pallets of bricks on the platform, a robot for handling and laying the bricks, a monitoring and control station, retractable props for stabilizing the operating station and a device for raising and lowering pallets of bricks. The entire operating station is supported by a telescopic mast mounted on a turntable of a movable floor which is located outside the enclosure and with which the operating station forms a retractable self-propelled or towable unit.

Abstract: A process and apparatus to clean refractory-lined conveyor troughs for molten metals and slags by means of chains on a rotating drum. A motor is used to drive the drum, whose current consumption and/or speed are variable as a function of the load. Variation from a specified setpoint is used to cause a displacement of the rotating drum transverse to the conveyor trough, to achieve optimal cleaning of the trough wall, which is only effected with the desired distance between wall and drum and a load on the motor corresponding to this distance. The direction of rotation of the drum is reversible, so that when the two sides of the conveyor trough are cleaned, the material removed is thrown in the same direction, preferably towards a suction exhaust.

Abstract: A method of flame spraying refractory material for in situ repair of, e.g., furnace linings wherein an inert carrier gas incapable of supporting combustion and particles of refractory oxide and combustible metal or other oxidizable material are delivered to a flame spraying apparatus wherein high pressure oxygen aspirates and accelerates the carrier gas-particle mixture; a controlled ratio of 5 to 1 to about 30 to 1 oxygen gas to carrier gas; allows for the use of highly combustible metals and materials such as chromium, aluminum, zirconium, and/or magnesium as heat sources without back-flash and at a deposition rate in excess of 2000 pounds per hour of refractory oxide to yield a deposited refractory mass exhibiting enhanced wear and erosion resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus repairs a perforated brick employed in a wall of a metallurgical vessel and having an opening into which is to be fit a gas washing sink for introducing gas into molten metal within the metallurgical vessel, during which gas introduction the inner end of the gas washing sink and the perforated brick around such area become worn. The apparatus includes a casing having an outer contour corresponding to the outer contour of the gas washing sink and to be inserted into the worn opening of the perforated brick upon removal therefrom of the worn gas washing sink. The casing thus forms a template defining the contour of the opening to be repaired in the worn portion of the perforated brick. A repair material feed pipe extends through and is guided by the casing for supplying therethrough repair material for repairing the worn portion of the perforated brick. A spray head is attached to the inner end of the feed pipe for directing the repair material toward the worn portion of the perforated brick.

Abstract: A tap spout, particularly for allowing molten metal to be discharged from oxygen-steel converters, includes a replaceable unit including a tubular wear lining and a jointing layer secured thereto. An inner lining of the tap spout may thus be repaired with relatively simple maintenance work by removing the inner lining and subsequently inserting the replaceable unit into an outer lining of the tap spout to form a new inner lining of the tap spout. The replaceable unit is adapted to facilitate either a press fit, and in particular, a fit ensured by axial compression of the jointing layer, or an expansion fit with the outer lining to secure the replaceable unit therein.

Abstract: A method of increasing the life of tuyere area refractories through repeated application of coherent refractory mass formed by ceramic welding process onto worn area after installing protective removable, expendable or reuseable pipes/rods. Consecutive use of this process can effectively suspend or reduce or control the wear of the original refractories.

Abstract: A method for primarily pre-heating ceramic material primarily in metallurgical processes, the material, in the form of brick or the like, forming part of a lining (3) or the like and being intended to be brought into contact with molten metal, such as molten steel, or a like melt, either directly or indirectly. Heating is effected primarily to reduce the magnitude of the temperature changes that occur in the material as a result of the alternating presence and absence of molten metal, or of a like melt that has an effect on the material.The method is particularly characterized in that heating is effected with the aid of so-called microwaves, and in that the cavity required herefor is formed by an existing metallic casing (2), preferably a steel casing, together with requisite auxiliary casing devices (4), such as lid devices (4) around the material. At least one microwave generator (7) is connected to the cavity.The invention also relates to an arrangement for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus, by means of which the used surface of the lining of a steel ladle can be worked away, following the contours, in uniform layer thickness. On compliantly displaceable arms, tools are pressed against the inner circumference of the lining which exert a hammering pact against the surface layer of the lining under the effect of a vibrator. Then a mold is lowered into the ladle and the space remaining between the mold and the worked-away inner surface is filled with a pourable, refractory material, which bonds with the old lining to form a new monolithic lining.

Abstract: A refractory furnace (10) is constructed to facilitate repair of worn or damaged refractory portions while the furnace is maintained at near-operating temperature. A sidewall (40) of the refractory furnace is comprised of a plurality of modular sections (85) each of which includes a refractory lining (87). One or more modular sections may be selectively replaced when becoming worn or damaged. Replacement is accomplished by external access and removal of the worn or damaged modular sections.