Refractory support device and associated method

Abstract

A refractory anchoring system that mitigates the effects of the thermo-mechanical stresses that arise from the furnace temperature gradient and varying thermal expansions of the refractory and casing. This anchoring system provides independent movement which may be important for maintaining the refractory lining stability and its ability to contain the furnace processes. The invention relates more specifically to the metallic member that is configured in a specific spring-like manner. This invention also relates to the specific design of the non-metallic member (refractory anchor) to work in conjunction with the metallic member.

1 . A furnace wall assembly comprising:
 an exterior wall having an inner face;   an interior refractory wall comprising:
 an insulating layer adjacent to the exterior wall inner face; and 
 a hotface layer adjacent to the insulating layer such that the insulating layer is disposed between the exterior wall inner face and the hotface layer, the hotface layer movable from a first position to a second position when subjected to thermal energy; 
   an anchor having a first end and a second end, the anchor first end adjacent to the exterior wall inner face and the anchor second end extending into the hotface layer of the interior refractory wall, wherein the anchor is movable from a first lateral position to a second lateral position when the hotface layer moves from the hotface layer first position to the hotface layer second position; and   a support having a first end rigidly coupled to the exterior wall inner face and slidingly engaging the anchor in the anchor first lateral position, and wherein the support further engages the anchor when the anchor is moved to the second anchor position.   
     
     
         2 . The furnace wall assembly of  claim 1  wherein the exterior wall is formed from a metal. 
     
     
         3 . The furnace wall assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the insulating layer and hotface layer is formed from a ceramic. 
     
     
         4 . The furnace wall assembly of  claim 1  wherein the anchor includes a helical thread. 
     
     
         5 . The furnace wall assembly of  claim 1  wherein the support is a compression spring. 
     
     
         6 . The furnace wall assembly of  claim 1  wherein the exterior wall is formed from concrete. 
     
     
         7 . The furnace wall assembly of  claim 1  wherein the exterior wall is formed from a composite material. 
     
     
         8 . The furnace wall assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a compressible member disposed about the support near the support first end. 
     
     
         9 . A furnace wall assembly comprising:
 an exterior wall having an inner face;   an interior refractory wall adjacent to the exterior wall inner face, the interior refractory wall movable from a first position to a second position when subjected to thermal energy;   an anchor having a first end and a second end, the anchor first end adjacent to the exterior wall inner face and the anchor second end extending into the interior refractory wall, wherein the anchor is movable from a first lateral position to a second lateral position when the interior refractory wall moves from the interior refractory wall first position to the interior refractory wall second position; and   a support having a first end rigidly coupled to the exterior wall inner face and slidingly engaging the anchor in the anchor first lateral position, and wherein the support further engages the anchor when the anchor is moved to the second anchor position.   
     
     
         10 . The furnace wall assembly of  claim 9  wherein the exterior wall is formed from a metal. 
     
     
         11 . The furnace wall assembly of  claim 9  wherein interior refractory wall is formed from a ceramic. 
     
     
         12 . The furnace wall assembly of  claim 9  wherein the anchor includes a helical thread. 
     
     
         13 . The furnace wall assembly of  claim 9  wherein the support is a compression spring. 
     
     
         14 . The furnace wall assembly of  claim 9  wherein the exterior wall is formed from concrete. 
     
     
         15 . The furnace wall assembly of  claim 9  wherein the exterior wall is formed from a composite material. 
     
     
         16 . The furnace wall assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a compressible member disposed about the support near the support first end.