Sustainable Mining and Metallurgy

The structure and function of the refractory of Al-smelting holding furnace, and the characteristics of the refractory failure were described, and the causes of the failure were analyzed in eight aspects, including refractory surface condition, heat impact, static pressure, impurities, mechanic agitation, solid furnace charge, and furnace cleaning. Then suggestions were made on extending the service life of the refractory, including adopting appropriate furnace dimensions, using low-impurity refractory material, improving furnace refractory installation quality, developing an appropriate furnace heat-up curve, using pre-fabricated furnace refractory, controlling the dosage of refining agent and slag cleaning agent, improving the method of charging solids, and improving the operation of agitation and slag removal, establishing an appropriate furnace cleaning regime, and reducing the heat impact of hot aluminum electrolyte on the refractory.