In situ testing of superstructure refractories

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · American Ceramic Society Bulletin

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470294406.ch2· OSTI ID:477145

Shamp, D ^[1]

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1. Schuller International Inc., Denver, CO (United States)

Almost all glass manufacturers--including Schuller--that have converted to oxy-fuel combustion have encountered superstructure refractory and flue refractory difficulties. Many problems have been encountered because of the higher vapor concentration in oxy-fuel melters that cause undesirable condensate species. Some testing laboratories have facilities for conducting tests on superstructure refractories by simulating the furnace atmosphere and temperature regime. Such tests provide an insight into what can be expected in the installation of a given refractory. However, the simulated atmosphere and the relatively short test period may not inspire confidence. Therefore, Schuller has experimented with in situ testing by placing refractory samples in peepholes, abandoned burner blocks and exhaust ports for relatively long periods of time to gain greater confidence in predicting refractory life for a given application. Furthermore, in situ testing places a refractory sample in close proximity to where it will be used, thus creating a true atmosphere and temperature regime for a given test. In situ testing is intended to determine the best service life for a given glass chemistry, or range of chemistries, that a particular furnace must produce during a campaign. This procedure is something that each operator can perform on any furnace to gain confidence in any new product that a supplier might recommend for future refractory application. The procedure also can be used as head-to-head testing of refractory materials from different suppliers. Also, the material currently being used can be tested against a suggested new material. This article presents the test procedure used and some of the results obtained.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 477145
• Journal Information: American Ceramic Society Bulletin, Journal Name: American Ceramic Society Bulletin Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 76; ISSN 0002-7812; ISSN ACSBA7
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CORROSION RESISTANCE
DATA
FURNACES
GAS BURNERS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
MATERIALS TESTING
REFRACTORIES
SERVICE LIFE