Refractory Practices in Ferro-alloy Smelting Furnaces

Ferro-alloy furnaces are basically electrothermic furnaces where various ironalloys viz. Fe-Si, Fe-Mn, Fe-Cr etc., are produced. In the production of these alloys,
the furnace inside acts as a receptacle. Lining therefore plays an important role. The choice of refractories for the furnace lining is determined by the technology of
smelting, the character of the slag and alloy composition as well. The ferro-alloy furnace lining is distinguished by the considerable thickness of the hearth which
ensures greater thermal inertia and stability of temper-ature in the smelting zone of a furnace during short idling periods. Further, a fact common to all ferro-alloy furnaces is that the actual working layer of the furnace lining is the so called coating i.e., acretion formed by burden, components, lining fragments and smelted alloys.