Refractory and Insulation Curriculum
Refractory
Module from the Refractory and Insulation Curriculum curriculum.
Module 1 - Refractory Fundamentals · Learning Objectives · 1. Identify refractory purposes: thermal insulation, erosion resistance, containment · 2. Select castable, bricks, or ceramic fiber by service · 3. Apply service classification: heavy (FCC), medium (heaters), light (ducts) · 4. Identify binder and aggregate (alumina, mullite, silica) · 5. Specify required thermal conductivity vs density · Refractory Type Overview
| Type | Density (pcf) | Max Temp F | Compressive (ksi) | k (BTU-in/hr-ft2-F) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insulating castable (lightweight) | 40-60 | 2200-2500 | 0.5-1.5 | 1.0-2.0 | Heater walls, linings |
| Medium-weight castable | 70-130 | 2400-2700 | 2-5 | 3-6 | Heater floors, FCC plenum |
| Heavy-weight erosion-resistant | 140-180 | 2600-3000 | 8-15 | 8-15 | FCC riser, cyclone walls |
| Fire brick (insulating) | 25-40 | 2000-2600 | 0.3 | 1-2 | Back-up behind castable |
| Fire brick (super-duty alumina) | 140-180 | 3300 | 8 | 10-15 | High-T applications |
| Ceramic fiber blanket (6 pcf) | 6 | 2000-2400 | - | 0.7-1.5 | Heater roof, ducts |
| Ceramic fiber module (folded) | 8-12 | 2300-2600 | - | 0.8-1.8 | Heater walls |
Source: Refractory_Insulation_Curriculum_v1.xlsx · Sheet: Refractory
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