In search of the most informative articles in this topic, readers communicate their interest by the amount of page views on our website. Based on this activity, we are sharing the eight ceramics and refractories/insulation articles most loved by readers.
Many of the articles published by Industrial Heating are what we call “evergreen.” This simply means that they are applicable and useful well past the magazine print date. The articles provided here have stood the test of time, and readers continue to show their interest through online viewing. We hope you agree that these articles continue to have something to offer.
High-Temperature Insulating Wools: Classification/Application
This article was a two-part offering starting in October 2016. If we combine the numbers from both parts, this is clearly our readers’ favorite in this category. The first part (www.industrialheating.com/htwools) covered the classification of high-temperature insulating wools (HTIW) by discussing what it is and what advantage HTIW has in a variety of applications.
Speaking of applications, the second part (www.industrialheating.com/HTIW2) discusses this topic and why HTIW is so effective in certain applications. An applicable quote from the author’s mentor was, “There are no bad refractories; you just put them in the wrong spot.”
We encourage you to check out these two articles to see what readers have found so interesting, helpful and/or useful.
Seven Signs: Ensuring Furnace Refractory Reliability
In spite of just being published in November 2017, this article takes second place in the view of our online readers. When refractory materials fail, furnaces and heaters begin to experience problems. This can be avoided through careful collaboration between end users and refractory material suppliers. By understanding the common signs of refractory failure, engineers can carry out maintenance to both fix a problem and avoid it in the future. As the headline says, the authors provide seven key things to watch out for. You can find it at www.industrialheating.com/refmat.
Substituting Aluminum-Silicate Wool Products in the Furnace Industry
It appears wools and fibers are of significant interest because there are several articles in the top-8 for this category. Something to be aware of, however, is that some of this material may present a health risk. It is a constant task of industrial furnace manufacturers to apply all their know-how to limit the health risk of their employees and users of their furnace technology. This article originally appeared in our April 2017 issue, and you can find it at www.industrialheating.com/silwool.
Achieving High Value in Kiln Insulation and Furnace Refractories
This article addresses the following: the importance of correct material selection; achieving the best insulation system; meeting the unique demands of kiln furniture; fired refractory shapes; and the best options for inert and vacuum furnaces. Originally run in April 2016, you can learn more by reading the article at www.industrialheating.com/morgancri.
Advantages of Mullite-Fiber Linings for High-Temperature Furnaces
Although this article goes back to October 2014, reader interest is still high. Industrial furnaces that fire to temperatures of 2300°F (1260°C) and higher continuously pose serious challenges to insulating fiber and dense-refractory furnace linings. Industrial manufacturers that use high-temperature furnaces are focused on temperature uniformity, energy efficiency and low maintenance cost. You can read it online at www.industrialheating.com/mullite.
Options for Complete, Partial Refractory Relining in Older Furnaces
As manufacturing “re-shores” from countries outside the U.S. back to the 50 states, older, previously mothballed furnaces – many built decades ago – are being brought back from the dead. When reconditioning older heat-treating furnaces, thermal oxidizers, boilers and the like, refractory lining redesigns should be considered along with changes in burners, electric heating elements and control systems. Published in October 2017, you can find this recent readers’ favorite here: www.industrialheating.com/reline.
Redesigning Traditional Refractory Linings
A general trend is evident in iron and steel works. As alloys, products and designs are constantly improving, processes have started running hotter to keep up with the production requirements while trying to maintain the same or better process efficiencies. Equipment and process design have become more crucial than ever before.
Continuous improvements are being sought in raw-material supply as well as refractory design. Two examples are examined in this article. One is a redesigned reheat furnace and the other is a redesigned rotary kiln – both traditionally lined with hard refractory insulation. You can read this October 2015 article at www.industrialheating.com/linings.
Optimization of Folded Ceramic-Fiber Refractory Furnace Modules
Rounding out our top-8 articles is this one from April 2015. Modular refractory systems have been widely used for the last several decades. Throughout this time, module design advanced in an effort to combat issues such as shrinkage, water penetration and attachment-system failures.
In many instances, use of ceramic-fiber modules is more effective than hard refractory systems because they allow heat to shed more quickly and facilitate safe, rapid installation. The overall result is a more efficient, cost-effective alternative. Read it online at www.industrialheating.com/CFmodules.
While these articles are not the only evergreen content available on our website, they are great examples of editorial information that interests readers long after their original publication date. And that’s one of the benefits of our website (www.industrialheating.com). Articles back to the turn of the century are preserved for your reference. That’s a treasure trove of great information, and it is just a search away. Happy hunting!
