Vaporization Processes And Pressure Buildup During Dewatering Of Dense Refractory Castables

This work describes an experimental investigation on the de-watering kinetics of high-alumina refractory bodies under several heating conditions. The drying stages involving the removal of unbound water have been correlated with the two consecutive thermal processes by which liquid water transforms into vapour during heating: evaporation and ebullition. Thermogravimetric data have been used as the basis for a discussion of the parameters that affect the performance of both varporization processes and guide the design of suitable heating schedules aimed at minimising the drying time and the risk of harmful pore pressurization.