2026 Pankka Refractory Wear Peirce Smith Converter

The lifespan of refractory linings is a major industrial concern for reasons of economics, safety, and online availability. This study aims to investigate the refractory wear occurring in batchwise-operating Peirce-Smith converters, which are critical in copper smelting. To achieve this, three analytical methods were employed: laser flash analysis for measuring thermal conductivity, X-ray computed microtomography for detailed mesoscale 3D imaging, and scanning electron microscope energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) for phase structure analysis. The research analyzed three bricks sourced from the end-of-life brick lining of an industrial Peirce-Smith converter following its operational campaign at the Boliden Rönnskär smelter in Sweden. Thermal diffusivity measurements ranged from room temperature to 800°C. Using the results from the X-ray computed microtomography, specific heat and density values were calculated. The findings reveal that for two of the bricks, infiltration extended up to 60–70 mm, and porosity sharply increased beyond the infiltration zone. The predominant infiltration contents were identified as copper and copper sulfide, with the type of infiltration having a minimal impact on thermal conductivity, while porosity exhibited more pronounced effects.