The present invention refers to a technology for refrigeration of refractory material linings.

This invention refers to a technology which has been developed to reduce the temperature of refractory linings by means of a flow of cooling gas inside the refractory lining itself.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known that the refractory materials are made of a blend of metal oxides, bonded by different bonding systems, so to form solid pieces of different shapes and sizes, walls, roofs and all kinds of heat linings that resist to high temperatures.

The refractory materials are also stable against volume variations and protect heat-exposed equipment.

This type of material has never received refrigeration treatment since they are considered as a sacrifice lining, i. e., the failure of the refractory linings and parts is always expected and a replacement procedure is foreseen. What is left of the replaced material is waste.

The development of the process technology in all industries, especially the steel industry, and their need to reduce costs has made the relative cost of the refractory materials become more important.

Our industry is therefore forced to develop technological alternatives to extend the life of refractory material linings.

The steel industry is the main consumer of refractory products and materials.

It is noteworthy that the steel production, in some cases, has foreseen the refrigeration of non refractory parts of equipment, e. g., some metal structures are refrigerated by means of circulating water.

The object of this new invention is not to refrigerate steel structure parts of an equipment, but the refractory lining itself, by means of gas circulation inside the refractory.

Examples of such refractory linings are: electric arc furnaces delta roofs, steel shops ladle walls, floors and covers, continuous casting tundishes walls and devices, etc.

The principal aim is to make the life of said linings longer when in use, therefore reducing replacement costs and enhancing production, since the replacement procedure causes an interruption in plant operation.

The present invention provides a technology to refrigerate refractory linings and shapes by creating a labyrinth type channel, high porosity areas, etc., in the refractory material. Through these labyrinths, a gas flow removes the lining heat, reducing its temperature.

Said technology involves definitions about variables such as: a) type of refractory material and its particular features, namely, refractory ability, thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, etc. b) labyrinth shapes and sizes; and c) cooling gas type, flow, temperature and pressure.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The following drawings are provided to offer a better understanding of the invention to be described below in association to the figures wherein: Figures 1 and 2 are front-upper perspective views of refractory pieces having a simple labyrinth.

Figure 3 is an upper view of the same shape of fig. 2, fig. 4 and fig. 5 show further embodiments of the labyrinth as applied to the cooling technology. These drawings should not limit the scope of the invention.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION As described above, the present invention refers to a technology for refrigeration of refractory material linings on walls, roofs, covers, and refractory shapes (1), etc., which are placed to protect equipment which is exposed to high temperature radiation, in contact with hot fluids or molten metals.

Said pieces are made of a high- temperature resistant blend of refractory oxides as mentioned, having different shapes and sizes according to each particular use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to all Figures, the refractory piece (1) have a labyrinth (2) with inlet (3) and outlet (4) and nozzles for the circulation of cooling fluid (5). These shapes may be a part of a larger refractory lining.

Said nozzles, (3) and (4), can have a protection device (not shown) to protect the labyrinth against dust blockage.

The invention, as described above, can be performed by several embodiments, being therefore understood that a refractory lining design, including it's refrigeration system, has to be designed in all cases, to comply the operation needs.

The scope of the invention is therefore defined by the claims that follow.