Refractory Technology involves the study and application of materials that can withstand high temperatures, chemical attack, and mechanical wear, used to line furnaces, kilns, and reactors.
The primary types include acidic refractories (like silica), basic refractories (like magnesia), and neutral refractories (like alumina and chromite).
Refractories protect the structure of high-temperature equipment, improve energy efficiency, and ensure the safe containment of hot materials .
Key properties include high melting point, thermal stability, mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, and resistance to chemical attack.
Shaped refractories are preformed bricks or shapes, while monolithic refractories are unshaped materials like castables, plastics, and ramming masses that are installed in place.
Refractories are tested for properties such as cold crushing strength, porosity, thermal conductivity, and refractoriness under load (RUL).
A recuperator is a heat exchanger that recovers heat from exhaust gases to preheat incoming air or fuel, improving furnace efficiency.
Thermal conductivity determines how well a refractory material can conduct heat, affecting the heat retention and insulation properties of the lined structure.
Common applications include linings for furnaces, kilns, reactors, incinerators, and boilers in industries such as steel, cement, glass, and petrochemicals.
The chemical composition determines the material's resistance to different slags, gases, and temperatures, influencing its suitability for specific applications and environments.