Hot gunning of TBRCs at Inco

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 74, No. 830, 1981

W.J. THOBURN, Technical Manager, Metallurgy Simon-Carves of Canada Ltd., P.M. TYROLER, Section Leader, and M.R. ALBERTY, Project Leader, Inco Metals Company

An initial test of this unique application demonstrated that hot gunned refractory would adhere satisfactorily. Subsequently, it was found that the proportion of material sticking during application increased with increased vessel temperature and when a mix containing pitch was used. About 75 per cent of the latter type adhered when it was applied at 1600°C.TBRC availability increased from an historical average of 62.5 per cent to 64.7 per cent during four campaigns when hot gunning was routinely practiced. Refractory cost was about 20 per cent less than that anticipated without gunning. Average parameters per campaign with gunning ranged as follows: 90 to 108 heats, 10 to 37 applications and 1.4 to 2.7 hours per ap-plication. Prior to gunning, the average number of heats per campaign was 73.

Keywords: Process metallurgy, Gunning, Inco, Refractories, Converters, Top Blown Rotary Converter, Refineries, Nickel refining.