Refractory insert members and refractory block assembly including same

A refractory block assembly comprising:

• a refractory block having at least one opening formed therein;
• and
• at least one refractory insert member that resides within the at least one opening in the refractory block;
• wherein the at least one refractory insert member comprises a main insert body part having a first end, an opposed second end, an outer peripheral surface, and a mechanical mating member provided on at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the main insert body part;
• and
• wherein the mechanical mating member of the at least one refractory insert member comprises at least one flange having at least one slot and a channel open to the slot, extending around at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the insert main body part.

A refractory block assembly for a steam reformer furnace tunnel, the refractory block assembly comprising:

• a hollow main body portion having an outer peripheral surface defining a first end, an opposed second end, an upper surface, an opposed lower surface, a first side and an opposed second side;
• at least one through-hole having openings formed in the first side and the opposed second side of the hollow main body portion;
• at least one refractory insert member that resides within at least one of the at least one though-hole of the hollow main body portion, wherein the at least one refractory insert member comprises an insert main body part having a first end, an opposed second end, and an outer peripheral surface, and a mechanical mating member provided on at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the insert main body part, wherein the mechanical mating member comprises at least one flange having at least one slot and a channel open to the slot, extending around at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the insert main body part, and wherein the mechanical mating member engages a corresponding mechanical mating member provided on an inner surface of the at least one through-hole;
• at least one first mechanical mating portion defining a protruded portion extending from a portion of the upper surface of the hollow main body portion;
• and
• at least one second corresponding mechanical mating portion defining an opening corresponding to the protruded portion formed in a portion of the lower surface the hollow main body portion.