The period a vessel runs on one lining, from startup to the next reline. Steel ladles and converters count it in heats, blast furnaces in years and millions of tonnes of hot metal, cement kilns in operating days and glass furnaces in years of continuous melting. Campaign life is the headline number in refractory performance, cost per tonne and supplier contracts.
Converter finished the campaign at 18,000 heats, best we've ever had with slag splashing.
Compare campaigns on cost per tonne, not just heats. A longer campaign bought with heavy gunning can cost more.
Also heard as
- lining life
- campaign life
Related terms
Reline
Replacement of a worn refractory lining, in full or in zones, at the end of a campaign.
Working lining
Innermost refractory layer in contact with the process, designed to wear and be replaced on a schedule.
Slag splashing
BOF practice of blowing nitrogen onto retained slag to plaster the converter lining with a protective coat.
Tear-out
Demolition of a worn or failed refractory lining so a new one can be installed.