Refractory technology2 min
The furnace walk-through: what a look inside reveals
Thermography from outside shows symptoms; the walk-through during a shutdown shows causes. Four inspection points and the outcome: a prioritised action plan.
The walk-through during a shutdown is the most underrated instrument in maintenance: thermography from outside shows symptoms, the walk-through shows causes.
What we check while doing it
- Bath line and hearth area: aluminium and salt infiltration is visible from the inside long before anything becomes measurable outside. Corundum build-up shows where the lining is under load.
- Joint pattern and expansion joints: changes in the joint pattern are often the first sign of movement in the brickwork.
- Doors, burner areas and transitions: the classic weak points of every campaign.
- Documentation: every finding is recorded with a photo and its position and then assessed — act immediately, repair in the next window, or keep under observation.
The outcome
A prioritised action plan instead of nasty surprises: a plannable partial repair instead of an emergency. Combined with thermography during operation, this produces a complete picture of the plant — the basis for maintenance that shortens shutdowns instead of extending them.
At a glance
80 %
of unplanned failures announce themselves
4 inspection points
bath line, joint pattern, weak points, documentation
Further reading
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