Refractory material with taggant to enable identification of material during reclaiming process

A method of reclaiming refractory material of a refractory lining constructed from different types of refractory products, wherein at least some of the different types of refractory products are constructed by mixing at least one refractory component and a taggant, the taggant comprising an amorphous or a crystalline solid that is distinguishable from an amorphous or crystalline solid of the refractory component, the method comprising:

• assembling the refractory lining using at least two different types of refractory products, wherein at least one refractory product of the at least two refractory products comprises the taggant;
• subjecting the assembled refractory lining to temperatures in excess of 300 degrees F.;
• demolishing the refractory lining to produce a mixture of refractory pieces, the mixture of refractory pieces comprising a mixture of the at least two different types of refractory products;
• analyzing the mixture of refractory pieces to detect the presence of one or more taggants;
• and
• sorting the refractory pieces of the mixture of refractory pieces into groups based on the detected one or more taggants.