Furnace Integrity OverviewThe Nodal Wear Model was developed to systematize the analysis of corrosion phenomena on refractory and ceramic materials that come in contact with corrosive fl uids in furnace linings. The model is based on the determination of the thermal fi eld in the furnace lining using a fi nite-element-method grid in which a second grid is defi ned to represent the surface of the lining that is attacked by the molten phases. Using a control equation for the wear-corrosion thermal-activated phenomena, a modification of the geometry is introduced and a new geometry is defi ned to restart the calculation.

With the aim of achieving a "zero waste" generation in industry, particularly in that of iron and steel, we propose studying the option to compete in this type of process, making use of an energy that, in addition to being free of contaminants, is also inexhaustible as is the case of solar energy. Solar energy is currently polarized has its greatest use in the production of electricity, either via thermal solar or photovoltaic, and it is also used as a low temperature heat source for water heating applications in households, hospitals, or hotels. Solar energy, when properly focused, can offer great potential for application in basic operations as well as processes of a chemical or chemical-metallurgical nature used for the obtaining, manipulation, and finishing of metals. Moreover, much waste from the iron and steel industry, make up a by-product whose exploitation requires high energy consumption in order that, either attempts are made to recycle them directly, or they are attempted to be taken advantage by feeding them, together with the conventional load, in reduction ovens. High temperature concentrated thermal solar energy could permit, on one hand, the generation of a high quality product (free of impurities which are detrimental to the process) using clean energy, and, thusly, fulfill the goal of achieving a "zero waste" generation.

The Nodal Wear Model NWM constitutes a working tool that may be employed to study the processes of differential corrosion in the Pierce-Smith converter PSC with the aim of achieving significant improvements in duration and productivity of the diverse lining alternatives that may be used. Both knowledge of the wear mechanisms as well as the definition of the corrosion equations are necessary to apply the NWM to the PSC. By means of the NWM, the outputs of corrosion in the tuyere zone of the PSC may be interpreted. The present paper analyzes the wear mechanism for thermal spalling. An equation is proposed which, as well as justifying the damage occasioned in the refractory bricks, it can also be used in the development of new designs.

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