The present invention relates Inorganic fibres having a composition comprising: 61.0 to 70.8 wt % SiO.sub.2; 27.0 to 38.9 wt % CaO; 0.10 to 2.0 wt % MgO; and optionally, an amount of other components providing a balance up to 100 wt %. A sum of SiO.sub.2 and CaO is greater than or equal to 97.8 wt % and wherein the amount of the other components, when present, comprise no more than 0.80 wt % Al.sub.2O.sub.3.

A furnace sidewall having slag retainers and metallurgical furnace having the same metallurgical furnace are disclosed herein. In one example, a furnace sidewall is provided that includes a hot plate and a plurality of slag retainers. The hot plate has an inner surface facing configured to face an interior volume of a metallurgical furnace and a bottom surface configured to face a hearth of the metallurgical furnace. The plurality of slag retainers extend inwardly from the inner surface of the hot plate and are arranged in a macro-pattern of slag retainer groups. The slag retainer groups include at least two or more of the slag retainers arranged in a micro-pattern.

A lining structure for a refractory vessel contains a first layer containing refractory material; a second layer, in communication with and parallel to the first layer, containing a metal layer or component; and a third layer, in communication with and parallel to the second layer, containing refractory material. The metal component in the second layer contains filled transverse passages, between the surface of the second layer in contact with the first layer and the surface of the second layer in contact with the third layer, producing support structures to maintain the structural integrity of the refractory vessel in use.

The current invention relates to the field of process furnaces design and can be used in oil refining industry, steam boilers and furnaces for heating feedstocks. A body of a process furnace, comprising an internal lining, is also provided with an outer protective coating which is discrete and structurally heterogeneous. The irregularity of the coating structure is provided by a filler. The invention makes it possible to reduce fuel consumption by reducing heat emission and heat loss from a furnace body into the surrounding environment.

A coating composition may include a glass frit including Phosphorus Oxide (P.sub.2O.sub.5), Silicon Oxide (SiO.sub.2), Boron Oxide (B.sub.2O.sub.3), a group I-based metal oxide, Barium Oxide (BaO), Sodium Fluoride (NaF), Titanium Oxide (TiO2), Stannous Oxide (SnO), Zinc Oxide (ZnO), and an adhesion enhancement component. The P.sub.2O.sub.5 may be included by about 40 wt % to about 55 wt % based on a total weight of the glass frit. The SiO.sub.2 may be included by about 5 wt % to about 15 wt % based on the total weight of the glass frit. The B.sub.2O.sub.3 may be included by about 5 wt % to about 10 wt % based on the total weight of the glass frit. The group I-based metal oxide may be included by about 3 wt % to about 10 wt % based on the total weight of the glass frit. The ZnO may be included by about 10 wt % to about 25 wt % based on the total weight of the glass frit, and the TiO.sub.2 may be included by about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt % based on the total weight of the glass frit.

A lining machine that includes a base frame, a rail group, a feed apparatus, a lift apparatus and a working platform, the rail group being mechanically fastened to the base frame and the rail group having at least one rail arrangement. The lift apparatus has a roller carriage and a lift unit located on the roller carriage, the roller carriage being provided on the rail arrangement so as to be movable between an installation position and an operating position. The lift unit is connected to the working platform and is designed to lower the working platform into the converter via the converter opening, and the feed apparatus has a roller conveyor, one end of which ends at the lift apparatus.

A method of cooling a liner in a plasma chamber. A recycle gas is contacted with or passed through the liner to cool the liner and pre-heat the recycle gas. The pre-heated gas is then recycled through the plasma chamber to become part of the plasma forming process. The method further comprises the liner is graphite, the recycle gas passes through at least one cooling channel present in the liner, at least one of the cooling channels are covered with at least one removable liner/channel cover, carbon deposits are formed from the presence of hydrocarbons in the recycle gas, at least one channel is formed in a spiral cooling channel pattern, at least one channel is formed in a substantially straight cooling channel pattern, and a plenum to aid in the production of an even distribution of cooling gas in the channels.

The present invention relates to a fluid cooled housing system for use in metal making furnaces. In particular, the present invention related to a novel and inventive housing and guard member configured to receive and protect an implement, such as a burner or a lance, used in connection with metal making furnaces. A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing comprising an outer shell and an inner shell that define a fluid chamber, an end cap, a bushing insert, a face plate, a fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet. Both the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are preferably in fluid communication with both the fluid chamber defined by the shells and a fluid chamber defined by the bushing insert. In alternative preferred embodiments, the housing system further comprises a guard member that preferably envelopes and further protects the fluid cooled housing.

Supplementary cooling elements in addition to a primary cooling element of a furnace. The supplementary cooling elements, with two or more components, may be inserted from the outside of the furnace into holes that pass through and the primary cooling element such that the cooling elements protrude beyond the inner surface of the primary cooling element. An inner one of the components of the supplementary cooling element may be received by an outer one of the components in a manner that forces the outer component into a thermally conductive pressure connection with the primary cooling element.

A sintered ceramic foam that has a total porosity of greater than 60% by volume and the following phase composition, in mass percent based on the crystallized phases: 25 to 55% mullite, 20 to 65% corundum, 10 to 40% zirconia, mullite, corundum and zirconia together representing more than 80% of the mass of the crystallized phases. Also, a furnace that has a thermal insulator such ceramic foam.