Thermo-Mechanical Behaviour Of Azs Fused-Cast Blocks During Heating-Up Of Glass Furnaces: Experiments And Numerical Simulations

A global approach coupling experiments and modelling studies of the thermo-mechanical behaviour of fused-cast AZS refractory sidewall blocks during heating-up of a glass furnace has been implemented. Extensive temperature measurements have been performed on an industrial fuel-fired furnace and have been used to feed a numerical model with the aim to calculate the transient mechanical stress fields resulting from thermal expansion of the blocks during heating-up. The results have been found in good agreement with field experience and the model has then been used to determine critical factors regarding the thermal stress behaviour of AZS sidewall fused-cast blocks.