Method for determining the state of a refractory lining of a metallurgical vessel for molten metal in particular

A method for managing vessels receivable of molten metal, comprising:

• obtaining a first set of data about one of the vessels before operational use of the vessel, the first set of data including thickness of blocks of a refractory lining of the vessel and data about materials injected into the refractory lining;
• obtaining a second set of data about operational use of the vessel, the second set of data including identity of molten metal operatively received by the vessel, properties of the molten metal operatively received by the vessel including amount, temperature and composition of the molten metal operatively received by the vessel, composition of slag in the vessel and thickness of the slag, tapping times using the vessel, temperature profiles of the molten metal operatively received by the vessel, treatment times of the molten metal operatively received by the vessel, metallurgical parameters of the molten metal operatively received by the vessel, and a manner in which the molten metal is poured or tapped into and out of the vessel;
• obtaining a third set of data about the refractory lining after use of the vessel, the third set of data including thickness of the refractory lining at points of wear;
• storing the first, second and third sets of data in a data storage unit;
• evaluating the state of the refractory lining based on at least a portion of data in the first, second and third sets of data which provides information about use of the refractory lining;
• and
• determining, based on the current state of the refractory lining and the evaluating of the state of the refractory lining, which one of the following changes in the refractory lining or use of the refractory lining is required to optimize a service life of the refractory lining:
• 1) repair of the refractory lining, and
• then repairing the refractory lining and using the repaired refractory lining such that the refractory lining has an improved operational state relative to the state of the refractory lining during previous operational use,
• 2) altering of existing properties of the refractory lining, and
• then altering properties of the refractory lining and using the refractory lining with the altered properties such that the refractory lining with the altered properties has an improved operational state relative to the state of the refractory lining during previous operational use;
• and
• 3) altering current use of the vessel including the refractory lining, and
• then preparing for altered use of the vessel including the refractory lining which altered use is different from previous use of the vessel including the refractory lining and using the vessel including the refractory lining in an altered manner such that the refractory lining has an improved operational state relative to the state of the refractory lining during previous operational use.