The design and size of refractory bricks play a very important role in the performance of a furnace. Bricks may be classified as either regular or special shapes according to their shape. Regular shapes are usually sharp bricks, wide wedge bricks, regular bricks and zigzag bricks. Special brick shapes include slanting wedge brick, half brick, semi-cylindrical brick, inverted arch brick, arch brick, half arch brick and tuck brick.
Regularly shaped refractory bricks for blast furnace and hot blast stove are usually wide wedge shaped bricks and regular shaped bricks. They are produced from best quality fired refractory materials and are designed to resist the thermal shock, the chemical and physical attacks of the furnace charge and atmosphere.
Wide wedge refractory bricks have three dimensions. The most popular size is one foot long by four inches high by three inches wide. The length of the brick is dependent on the wall thickness as well as the furnace size and operating temperature. The height of the brick is usually 3-4 inches, while the width is typically 2-3 inches. The width of the brick depends on the size of the gap that needs to be filled. This is the most commonly used shape of refractory brick in large furnaces such as blast furnace.
Regular shaped refractory bricks are also used in blast furnace and hot blast stove. These bricks are usually rectangular and have a slant or flat face. The dimensions for a regular shaped refractory brick are usually 8x4x4. The size of the brick is determined by the thickness of the furnace refractory lining.
Both wide wedge and regular shaped refractory bricks are designed to be strong and to provide thermal, chemical and erosion resistance to the environment in which they are used. The shape and size of the brick also reduces any weak points in the furnace lining. Refractory bricks should be inspected for cracks or other forms of damage to ensure the highest performance. Lastly, refractory bricks should be free from debris and other contaminants that could cause decreased performance.
In summary, the shape and size of refractory bricks play a very important role in the performance of a furnace. Wide wedge shaped bricks and regular shaped bricks are the most commonly used refractory bricks in large furnaces such as blast furnace and hot blast stove. The dimensions of these bricks depend on the size of the wall and the size of the gap that needs to be filled. Refractory bricks should be inspected for damage and be free from debris, contaminants and other forms of damage before being used.
