7TH EUROPEAN COKE AND IRONMAKING CONGRESS - ECIC 2016

Inverse geometry heat transfer analysis using thermocouple data is often used to estimate the remaining refractory thickness in a blast furnace hearth. However, multiple combinations of refractory / skull thickness solutions exist for a single set of thermocouple data. The results of this method are also sensitive to the quality of thermocouple data. An alternative approach uses non-destructive Acousto Ultrasonic-Echo (AU-E) measurements to provide an estimate of the refractory wear profile and identify irregularities. This paper describes a combined approach that uses both thermocouple data and AU-E measurements to eliminate uncertainties in the typical hearth thermal assessment methodologies. This combined approach can also estimate the skull shape and thickness, even with limited thermocouple data. Changes to the system can be quickly determined based on thermocouple history data. Warning temperatures can be identified, and potential design changes can be investigated. This assessment can help prolong the blast furnace campaign life.