In the high - temperature sections of blast furnaces, the demand for high - quality refractory materials is extremely stringent. These areas operate under conditions of high temperature, high pressure, and chemical corrosion, which require refractory materials to have excellent heat resistance, thermal conductivity, and chemical stability. In the past, fireclay bricks and high - alumina bricks were commonly used. However, with the continuous improvement of blast furnace air temperature, these traditional materials are gradually showing their limitations.
Silica bricks used in hot blast stoves have a unique structure with scaly quartz as the main phase. This structure endows silica bricks with excellent thermal conductivity and high - temperature resistance. According to industry research, the thermal conductivity of silica bricks can reach about 1.5 - 2.0 W/(m·K) at high temperatures, which is significantly higher than that of fireclay bricks (about 0.8 - 1.2 W/(m·K)) and high - alumina bricks (about 1.0 - 1.5 W/(m·K)). This high thermal conductivity allows silica bricks to transfer heat more efficiently in the blast furnace, ensuring uniform temperature distribution and improving the overall efficiency of the blast furnace.
As the air temperature in blast furnaces continues to rise, the demand for refractory materials with higher heat resistance is increasing. Industry data shows that in recent years, the market share of silica bricks in the high - temperature parts of blast furnaces has been gradually increasing. In some large - scale iron and steel enterprises, the proportion of silica bricks used in hot blast stoves has increased from about 30% five years ago to more than 50% today. This trend indicates that silica bricks are gradually replacing traditional fireclay bricks and high - alumina bricks.
Let's compare the performance differences between silica bricks and traditional fireclay bricks and high - alumina bricks in a table:
| Material | Thermal Conductivity (W/(m·K)) | High - Temperature Resistance (°C) | Chemical Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silica Bricks | 1.5 - 2.0 | 1600 - 1700 | Good |
| Fireclay Bricks | 0.8 - 1.2 | 1300 - 1500 | Moderate |
| High - Alumina Bricks | 1.0 - 1.5 | 1400 - 1600 | Good |
From the table, it is clear that silica bricks have obvious advantages in thermal conductivity and high - temperature resistance, which makes them more suitable for the high - temperature environment of modern blast furnaces.
Silica bricks play a crucial role in improving blast furnace efficiency and reducing energy consumption. Their high thermal conductivity ensures rapid heat transfer, which can reduce the energy input required for heating the blast furnace. In addition, their excellent high - temperature resistance can extend the service life of the refractory lining in the blast furnace, reducing the frequency of lining replacement and maintenance costs. Some enterprises have reported that after using silica bricks, the energy consumption of the blast furnace can be reduced by about 10 - 15%, and the service life of the refractory lining can be extended by about 2 - 3 years.
Let's take a look at some real - world customer cases. A large - scale iron and steel enterprise in Europe replaced the fireclay bricks in its blast furnace with silica bricks. After the replacement, the production efficiency increased by about 12%, and the production cost was reduced by about 8% due to lower energy consumption and longer refractory lining service life. Another enterprise in Asia also achieved similar results after using silica bricks, which not only improved the quality of the steel products but also enhanced the overall competitiveness of the enterprise in the market.
Now, we invite you to think: Are you still using traditional fireclay bricks or high - alumina bricks in your blast furnace? If so, it's time to consider the advantages of silica bricks. Silica bricks can help your enterprise improve production efficiency and reduce costs, making your enterprise more competitive in the market. If you have any questions or need more information, please click here to contact our professional consultants. We are committed to providing you with the best solutions and support.
