Refractorylined

Refractorylined describes equipment or components that have an interior layer of refractory material designed to withstand high temperatures, chemical attack, and thermal cycling. This lining protects the structural shell, reduces heat losses, and helps define the working temperature of the vessel. Refractory-lined equipment is common in industries such as steelmaking, cement production, glass manufacturing, and chemical processing, where interiors are exposed to extreme heat and corrosive environments.

Materials and construction: Linings can be brick or monolithic. Brick linings use refractory bricks laid with mortar, often with a back-up insulating layer. Monolithic linings employ castable refractories, gunning mixes, ramming masses, or shotcrete. Common materials include alumina, silica, magnesia, and magnesia-alumina spinels; higher-performance systems may use silicon carbide, zirconia, or other specialized formulations. The choice depends on service temperature, chemical aggressiveness, abrasion, and thermal shock resistance. Installation methods include bricklaying or applying monolithic mixes by casting, gunning, or spraying, with attention to bonding, density, and proper thermal gradient control. Thickness varies by application to balance protection, insulation, and cost.

Maintenance and operation: Refractory linings wear from heat, slag corrosion, mechanical abrasion, and thermal cycling. Damage can present as cracks, spalling, brick slump, joint widening, or penetration holes. Regular outage-time inspections, non-destructive testing, and process monitoring inform maintenance decisions. When deterioration exceeds acceptable limits, repairs or complete relining are performed. Proper preheating, controlled heating and cooling, and correct material selection are important for maximizing lining life and safety.