A method for detecting a fluctuation of a solidified layer, and a method for operating a blast furnace by employing the relevant method. In the method for detecting a fluctuation of a solidified layer, the fluctuation of the solidified layer in the lower part of a blast furnace is detected by using the amount of heat supplied to pig iron in the lower part of the blast furnace and the amount of heat in the pig iron tapped in a predetermined period.

The functional condition of an induction crucible furnace is checked by first establishing a set-point parameter corresponding to an optimum functional condition of the induction crucible furnace and characterizing the vibratory behavior of same. Then, during normal operation of the furnace, an actual-value parameter of the vibratory behavior is determined. These two parameters are then compared and, if a magnitude of a difference therebetween exceeds a threshold, an alarm is generated.

An integrated refractory management system includes: a cable module, at least a portion of which is inserted into a refractory; a measurement module, disposed outside the refractory, for measuring a current signal flowing through the cable module; an integrated management module for determining the state of the refractory on the basis of the current signal measured by the measurement module, displaying the state of the refractory, and generating management information on the refractory; and a local terminal for receiving the management information from the integrated management module.

An integrated refractory management system includes: a cable module, at least a portion of which is inserted into a refractory; a measurement module, disposed outside the refractory, for measuring a current signal flowing through the cable module; an integrated management module for determining the state of the refractory on the basis of the current signal measured by the measurement module, displaying the state of the refractory, and generating management information on the refractory; and a local terminal for receiving the management information from the integrated management module.

A furnace muffle for an annealing furnace, the furnace muffle including a base body arranged to delimit a volume to be heated, at least one actuator connected to the base body in such a manner that the actuator, during the operation of the furnace muffle, can exert a force on the base body, at least one sensor arranged to detect a force exerted by the base body during the heating or cooling and/or a change in a length of the base body during the heating or cooling, and a control device connected to the actuator and the sensor, which is arranged so that during the operation of the furnace muffle, it controls the force exerted on the base body as a function of the force or change in length detected by the sensor.

A method for detecting a fluctuation of a solidified layer, and a method for operating a blast furnace by employing the relevant method. In the method for detecting a fluctuation of a solidified layer, the fluctuation of the solidified layer in the lower part of a blast furnace is detected by using the amount of heat supplied to pig iron in the lower part of the blast furnace and the amount of heat in the pig iron tapped in a predetermined period.