Method of straightening flue walls in a carbon anode ring furnace

A method of straightening a deformation zone in one wall of a pair of spaced vertical walls formed of refractory brick, comprising the steps of:

• providing a jack means having oppositely disposed first and second reaction surfaces for applying oppositely directed forces, the area of the first reaction surface being greater than the area of said second reaction surface;
• inserting the jack means between the walls into a preselected position adjacent the deformation zone;
• orienting the jack means such that the second reaction surface is in confronting relation with a single one of the refractory bricks of the vertical walls having the deformation zone to be straightened and the first reaction surface is in confronting relation with at least two of the refractory bricks of the other vertical wall;
• extending the jack means to cause engagement of the first and second reaction surfaces with the walls;
• and
• applying controlled, oppositely directed forces to the walls at said preselected position by further extension of the jack means to thereby reduce the deformation zone.