Application of Ceramic Fibre in uptake area of Reheating Furnace at Hot Strip Mill, Bokaro Steel Plant for improved life

摘要

Hot Strip Mill (HSM) of Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) is a 2000 mm continuous mill having 3 walking beam type Reheating Furnaces (RHF) of capacity 300 t/hr/furnace. Conventional castables of 60 per cent and 90 per cent alumina quality were being used for lining the charging side uptake area of these furnaces. The frequent failure of these castables was forcing the furnaces to shut down for repairs about 4-5 times a year. The application of castable was difficult due to the structure above it. More water was being used to maintain the flowability of castable, resulting deterioration of its properties. Use of both ceramic as well as metallic anchors could not give encouraging results. Flue gases pass through this area at a temperature of about 800-1000°C and the thickness of castable lining is about 250 mm.