How confident are you about the condition of your furnace?
Furnace optimization is a balancing act, and manufacturers can err on both sides. We’ve worked with customers who were ready to shut down when they had at least two years of asset life left. We’ve also worked with customers who were expecting three more years in the furnace campaign when they were months away from a leak. SmartMelter® portable sensors measure refractory thickness within 5 mm, giving you the confidence to safely maximize production.
SmartMelter Applications
SmartMelter® Refractory Assessment gives manufacturers deterministic data about the melter’s condition so that reliability can be assessed and overcoat recommendations can be made according to company plans and goals. We help glass manufacturers make decisions such as:
- Is overcoat necessary?
- Is it safe to change glass color?
- What is the scope of our next repair?
- Can we operate safely until our scheduled rebuild date?
Refractory Overcoat Optimization
SmartMelter® can measure residual refractory thickness and make overcoat recommendations at the metal/flux line, throat, and electrode/bubbler blocks. Sensor range is up to 100mm on AZS and 150mm on High Zirconia (depending on material). We can measure select bonded Chrome-Alumina, such as SEFPRO wool.
Lower Sidewall Reliability
SmartMelter® can asses lower sidewall reliability up to 1 year, depending on the sidewall configuration. Our sensor range is up to the tank block in most cases.
Furnace Bottom Reliability Assessment
SmartMelter® can assess furnace bottom reliability up to 2 years, depending on the bottom configuration. In many cases, our sensor range is up to the pavers.
