PDFAll furnace typesRunning heat-up curves correctly
Why the first days decide over years of service life.
Only in the PDFExample curves for ramming mix, castable and brick lining with hold points and ramp rates
To the articleLining and materials2 min
Refractory lining for rotary kilns: what matters during the overhaul
Rotating kilns are among the most demanding units in refractory construction. Mechanical flexing, high temperatures and chemical attack hit the lining all at once.
Rotating kilns are among the most demanding units in refractory construction. Mechanical flexing, high temperatures and chemical attack hit the lining all at once. From more than 500 projects we have learned what matters.
Five factors in a rotary kiln overhaul
- Zone-specific material selection: the sintering, transition and discharge zones are considered separately — basic magnesia-spinel grades in the burning zone, more robust alumina bricks at the inlet and outlet.
- Shell survey before lining: an ovality of more than 0.3–0.5 % causes whole brick rings to fail. We check the geometry before any bricking starts.
- Clean ring construction: keying, gap dimensions and expansion joints determine the campaign life — often the difference between 12 and 24 months.
- Controlled heat-up curve: defined temperature ramps and holding stages protect a freshly installed lining against spalling.
- Condition monitoring during operation: shell thermography detects areas that have become thin at an early stage and enables targeted partial repairs.
The result: higher plant availability, plannable overhauls and a considerably longer service life.
At a glance
0.3–0.5 %
critical shell ovality before lining
12–24 months
campaign life depending on ring construction
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