The present invention provides a method for coating the bottom of a steel pan comprising the steps of positioning a mold on the bottom of the steel pan; securing the mold by means of a clamping mechanism; applying refractory material to the bottom of the pan and below the mold; applying a load to the mold; and removing the mold from the refractory material. The present invention is advantageous because it enables an increase in the metallic yield of pans and the reduction of non-metallic inclusions, which are normally dragged by the vortex formed.

The present invention provides a method for coating the bottom of a steel pan comprising the steps of positioning a mold on the bottom of the steel pan; securing the mold by means of a clamping mechanism; applying refractory material to the bottom of the pan and below the mold; applying a load to the mold; and removing the mold from the refractory material. The present invention is advantageous because it enables an increase in the metallic yield of pans and the reduction of non-metallic inclusions, which are normally dragged by the vortex formed.

Oven (1), of the type comprising a receptacle (2) of refractory material, which comprises two concave pieces (3, 4) that are joined by the edges (5) thereof with the participation of a refractory binder (6), the pieces (3, 4) comprising a recess (7) in the edge thereof to form the entrance to the oven, and mutually coupling tongue-and-groove joints (50).

Oven (1), of the type comprising a receptacle (2) of refractory material, which comprises two concave pieces (3, 4) that are joined by the edges (5) thereof with the participation of a refractory binder (6), the pieces (3, 4) comprising a recess (7) in the edge thereof to form the entrance to the oven, and mutually coupling tongue-and-groove joints (50).

An industrial furnace for melting materials is provided. The industrial furnace includes metal components, a refractory shell, and a fill. The refractory shell is positioned to cover an inner surface of the metal components such that one or more pockets are defined between the metal components and the refractory shell. The refractory shell has an inner surface that substantially defines a melting bath in which the materials are deposited for melting. The fill is disposed in each of the pockets. 90% to 99.5% of the fill is composed of one or more magnesia materials selected from the group consisting of dead-burned magnesia and fused magnesia.

An ingot mold for curing fused and melted material is provided. The ingot mold includes a steel box, a foamed carbon layer, and a graphite block layer. The foamed carbon layer is formed inside the steel box. The graphite block layer is formed inside the steel box.

A furnace system including an outer shell which comprises a top flange, an elongated body portion, and a bottom flange, wherein the outer shell is a pressure vessel, with no penetrations in the elongated body portion; a heater assembly which comprises (i) a single-piece annular shaped insulation layer, and (ii) a plurality of heaters embedded in the insulation layer, wherein the heater assembly is disposed within the elongated body portion of the outer shell; and an innermost layer disposed within the annular-shaped insulation layer, wherein the innermost layer is a baffle tube configured to force a natural convective flow, wherein each of the plurality of heaters is individually controllable and the plurality of heaters are configured to heat different zones within the furnace to different temperatures and/or at different rates. The system may be used to heat treat magnet materials, such as those formed of Bi-2212, therein.

A ceramic liner can include a monolithic body having a surface portion and a bulk portion. The surface portion can have a thickness less than the total thickness of the monolithic body. The monolithic body can include an amorphous phase. The amorphous phase can be discontinuous. At least one member of the discontinuous phase can be embedded in the surface portion. The bulk portion can be substantially free of the amorphous phase. A method of forming a ceramic liner can include providing a furnace with a coating and a bulk material of the ceramic liner and heating the bulk material and the coating. In an embodiment, a coated lining form can be used to provide the coating. In a particular embodiment, the coating can be transferred to the bulk material from the coated lining form.

A ceramic liner can include a monolithic body having a surface portion and a bulk portion. The surface portion can have a thickness less than the total thickness of the monolithic body. The monolithic body can include an amorphous phase. The amorphous phase can be discontinuous. At least one member of the discontinuous phase can be embedded in the surface portion. The bulk portion can be substantially free of the amorphous phase. A method of forming a ceramic liner can include providing a furnace with a coating and a bulk material of the ceramic liner and heating the bulk material and the coating. In an embodiment, a coated lining form can be used to provide the coating. In a particular embodiment, the coating can be transferred to the bulk material from the coated lining form.

A refractory lining structure for a metallurgical vessel is characterized by at least one elongated expansion joint formed in and extending through the surface of the working lining in a substantially vertical direction. The elongated expansion joint accommodates thermal expansion of the working lining in a metallurgical vessel such as, for example, a tundish during preheating for a continuous casting operation. The elongated expansion joint decreases crack formation, delamination, and spalling of the working lining from underlying back-up linings and/or safety linings in metallurgical vessels during preheating and use, while still facilitating metal skull removal after the completion of metallurgical operations.