An apparatus (2) for determining thickness of refractory material (4) lining a metal vessel (6) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a radiation source (16) for emitting radiation through a metal wall of the vessel and into the refractory material, wherein some of the radiation is scattered by the refractory material, and a radiation detector (20) for detecting radiation scattered by the refractory material through the wall of the vessel. A converter provides an output signal dependent on the quantity of radiation scattered by the refractory material through the wall of the vessel and detected by the radiation detector.

A hearth for a metallurgical reactor, in particular for a blast furnace, has an outer shell and an annular wall lining of refractory material inside the shell, the wall lining having a lower region with a multi-layered construction, a radially inner layer faces the interior of the hearth and includes at least one inner ring of refractory elements, radially outer layer faces the outer shell and has at least one outer ring of refractory elements, where in the at least one inner ring elements are made of a first carbonaceous refractory material that is different from one or more carbonaceous refractory materials of the elements in the outer layer such that, the first refractory material contains, in a proportion of at least 5% by mass in total, at least one property-enhancing additive other than metallic silicon or silicon carbide. In beneficial combination therewith, the at least one inner ring has a wall thickness of less than 45%, of the corresponding total wall thickness of the wall lining.

A hearth for a metallurgical reactor, in particular for a blast furnace, has an outer shell and an annular wall lining of refractory material inside the shell, the wall lining having a lower region with a multi-layered construction, a radially inner layer faces the interior of the hearth and includes at least one inner ring of refractory elements, radially outer layer faces the outer shell and has at least one outer ring of refractory elements, where in the at least one inner ring elements are made of a first carbonaceous refractory material that is different from one or more carbonaceous refractory materials of the elements in the outer layer such that, the first refractory material contains, in a proportion of at least 5% by mass in total, at least one property-enhancing additive other than metallic silicon or silicon carbide. In beneficial combination therewith, the at least one inner ring has a wall thickness of less than 45%, of the corresponding total wall thickness of the wall lining.

The invention relates to a refractory ceramic brick assembly. In other words: The subject of the invention relates to a multiplicity of refractory ceramic bricks which are arranged to one unit in a specific way, i. e. combined with each other.

A method for monitoring the wear of a refractory lining of a blast furnace using modelling of a part of the blast furnace and thermal field calculation. Computer program allowing to perform such a method.

A ramming mass for the block lining of at least some of the refractory elements of a refractory lining of a metallurgical vessel such as a blast furnace, said ramming mass being composed of a mixture of a granular phase and a binder phase, wherein the granular phase and/or binder comprises at least one component having a microporous structure or capable of forming a microporous structure by firing during the blast furnace campaign. The ramming mass is in particular intended for forming the joint between two concentric annular assemblies forming a side wall of the vessel or between a lower part of an inner annular assembly and the periphery of one or more refractory layers forming the floor of the vessel.

A ramming mass for the block lining of at least some of the refractory elements of a refractory lining of a metallurgical vessel such as a blast furnace, said ramming mass being composed of a mixture of a granular phase and a binder phase, wherein the granular phase and/or binder comprises at least one component having a microporous structure or capable of forming a microporous structure by firing during the blast furnace campaign. The ramming mass is in particular intended for forming the joint between two concentric annular assemblies forming a side wall of the vessel or between a lower part of an inner annular assembly and the periphery of one or more refractory layers forming the floor of the vessel.

A refractory, which is particularly suitable for use in an inner lining of a blast furnace, is obtainable by a process. The process includes providing a mixture containing coke, silicon and a binder. A green block is formed from the mixture. The green block is then baked. The baked block is semi-graphitized at a temperature between 1600 and 2000 C.

A refractory layer structure includes a layer of refractory blocks locked by each other in a tessellated pattern.

An installation for applying a lining composition in the form of dry particulate material (2p) is provided to form a working lining (2s) onto a surface of a cavity in a tundish (1). A space reference system (X, Y, Z), where X is a longitudinal axis, Y is a transverse axis, and Z is a vertical axis is used. The installation includes a support frame defining a passage, a tank for storing an amount of the dry particulate material, dispensing units, a plunger configured for fitting in the cavity, a longitudinal translation mechanism is configured for holding and translating the dispensing along the longitudinal axis, a transverse translation mechanism is configured for receiving the tundish and translating the tundish along the transverse axis of the passage, and an elevation translation mechanism is configured for holding the plunger and translating the plunger along the vertical axis of the cavity when the tundish is located in the passage.