Calcium aluminate clinker as a refractory aggregate with and without barium addition and use thereof

A method for improving the insulating character and/or penetration resistance of a liner in contact with material in a manufacturing process or during material transport, comprising:

• lining a rotary kiln and/or processing equipment with a refractory composition comprising a refractory aggregate consisting essentially of a calcium aluminate clinker having the formula CnAx, wherein C is equal to calcium oxide, wherein A is equal to aluminum oxide, wherein n is an integer from about 1 to about 12, wherein x is an integer from about 1 to about 24, and wherein said calcium aluminate clinker has from zero to less than about fifty weight percent C12A7, and wherein greater than 98 weight percent of said calcium aluminate clinker having a particle size ranging from 325 mesh to +10 mesh, for forming a liner prior to contacting said equipment with the material and for improving the insulating character and/or penetration resistance of said liner.