Refractory monitoring system for high-voltage and high-temperature environment applications

A system for monitoring a status of a refractory material forming part of an electric furnace, wherein an innermost surface of said refractory material of said electric furnace is exposed to a molten material different from said refractory material, said system comprising:

• a sensor subsystem comprising at least one antenna and a transceiver of radiofrequency signals for collecting a set of data associated with said status of said refractory material;
• and
• a data processing subsystem comprising a computer-based processor, wherein said computer-based processor comprises a data storage device and an executable computer code configured to process said set of data;
• wherein said sensor subsystem further comprises a first set of cables to couple said transceiver of radiofrequency signals to said at least one antenna, and at least one first electrical protective element to insulate said at least one antenna from voltages of up to 3.0 KV, wherein said at least one first electrical protective element further provides thermal insulation to said at least one antenna from temperatures of up to 2000°F, and wherein said data processing subsystem further determines a thickness of at least a region of said refractory material based on said set of data.