Lining for molten metal handling vessles

A method of producing a low density refractory material on a molten metal handling vessel which comprises:

• providing a composition of a refractory material which includes a first component comprising at least one substantially dry decomposable compound capable of producing gas when said decomposable compound decomposes, and a second substantially dry component comprising a reactable compound of a cationic acid or an organic acid for reacting with said decomposable compound in the presence of water to cause said decomposable compound to generate the gas to provide said low density refractory material;
• mixing water with the composition in or adjacent the spray nozzle of a system for gunning or spraying refractory material to form a gunnable or sprayable mixture, and
• applying said composition to said substrate by spraying or gunning the mixture through the spray nozzle to produce the low density refractory material as a lining thereon.

A composition suitable for providing a low density refractory material comprising a refractory material which includes at least two substantially dry components, wherein

• the first component comprises at least one decomposable carbonate compound capable of producing CO.sub.2 gas when said decomposable compound decomposes;
• and
• the second component comprises a reactable compound of a sulfate or an organic acid for reacting with said decomposable compound in the presence of water to cause said decomposable compound to generate the CO.sub.2 gas to provide said low density refractory material.

A method of producing a low density refractory material on a molten metal handling vessel which comprises:

• providing first and second components, each of which is substantially dry, wherein the first component comprises at least one decomposable compound capable of producing gas when said decomposable compound decomposes, and the second component comprises a reactable compound of a cationic acid or an organic acid for reacting with said decomposable compound in the presence of water to cause said decomposable compound to generate the gas to provide said low density refractory material;
• forming a mixture of the first component, the second component, and water in or near the spray nozzle of a system for spraying or gunning, and
• applying said mixture to a molten metal handling vessel by spraying or gunning through the spray nozzle to produce a low density refractory material as a lining thereon.