Conttol of Refractory Lining Wear by Using Radioisotopes

This study explores the use of radioactive isotopes as tracers to measure refractory lining wear in converters and blast furnaces, addressing a key concern in the steelmaking industry due to the high costs associated with refractory materials. The research is centered on implementing this technique at the Portuguese Steelmaking Company (Siderurgia National, EP). By installing sources of 7.4 x 10' Bq Ir-192 and Co-60 into refractory bricks, the study examines the effectiveness of these isotopes in measuring wear rates. Findings indicate that both isotopes are suitable for the measurement; however, Ir-192 is found to be the preferred option due to its shorter half-life and other practical advantages. The results reveal that the wear rate varies significantly based on working conditions, with measurements ranging from 0.49 to 0.74 mm/charge. The methodology employed captures the dynamics of refractory wear more accurately than previous external techniques and provides insights into how wear rate depends on operational factors. This work has implications for optimizing refractory use and minimizing costs in steel production processes.