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Proper Refractory Maintenance Prevents Needless Rotary Kiln Repair Calls

Every piece of equipment on your rotary kiln is important to its functioning, but few components are more important than the refractory. This layer within the drum simultaneously provides insulation, preventing the internal heat from reaching the outer layers of the drum, while also helping concentrate and focus the heat within.


A refractory failure is one of the fastest ways to do catastrophic damage to a kiln, since left unchecked, the heat within can quickly ruin the shell. Even minor refractory problems can cause damage or reduce the overall effectiveness of your kiln.

With decades of experience providing rotary kiln repair and support services, Kiln Technology Company Company knows how to protect your refractory. These are some of the most important tips.

Preventative Tips to Protect Your Rotary Kiln Refractory from Damage

1 – Minimize heat cycling

Every time your kiln goes from cold to hot, a lot of thermal expansion takes place within the drum – with the refractory taking much of the hit. While they are designed to take a lot of abuse, frequent cycles of cold and hot can stress the refractory and cause it to crack -allowing heat to reach the vulnerable outer shell.

Some level of heat cycling is unavoidable when operating a kiln but avoid it as much as possible.

 

2 – Be aware of chemical reactions

Some chemicals have a tendency to attack the materials used in a refractory, particularly chlorides.  They are corrosive and will quickly break down the refractory material.

Refractories can be designed to resist corrosive chemicals, but this must be done ahead of time. If you built your kiln for one purpose and are now switching to another operation that involves chlorides or other corrosive chemicals, you may need to install a new refractory for it to be safe.

 

3 – Watch out for abrasive materials

Also, materials within a kiln can quickly damage the refractory if it hasn’t been designed to stand up to them. Highly abrasive materials, in particular, can do substantial physical damage to the refractory, weakening it in multiple places simultaneously. This is another reason you must be careful when changing your kiln’s usage, and we strongly recommend contacting the manufacturer to discuss its design specs before any major workflow changes.

Get Rotary Kiln Repair Today

If your kiln has become damaged, or you need, Kiln Technology Company Company can help! Contact us for experienced rotary kiln repair services.

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