The furnace refractory visual inspection, when carried out by an experienced person with knowledge of refractories, refractory structure design and construction, becomes a useful tool towards a scheduled refractory structures maintenance programme and an extended furnace campaign life. The maintenance needs are reduced and as a result, the total refractory structures maintenance expenditure is reduced over a total furnace campaign life. Problem areas and potential problem areas are identified at an early stage - thereby preventing unexpected severe adverse conditions within the furnace refractory structures. For constant standards throughout an inspection schedule period, it is recommended that the individual conducting the inspection and preparing the report organises and supervises the work required to fulfil the given action points. This will ensure that optimum standards of maintenance and workmanship are achieved throughout and the possibility of a total refractory structure failure is minimised. The furnace refractory structure visual inspection and scheduled maintenance work are primarily aimed at extending the design furnace campaign life, typically by 12-18 months. It also helps the glass producer organise a furnace repair or upgrade, as well as be able to adapt better to changes in the market, product mix, financial status and future development plans.
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