Steenkamp, J.D. (Joalet Dalene)Pistorius, Petrus ChristiaanTangstad, M.2016-04-222016-04-222015-03Steenkamp, JD, Pistorius, PC & Tangstad, M 2015, 'Chemical wear analysis of a tap-hole on a SiMn production furnace', Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 115, pp. 199-208.0038-223X (print)2225-6253 (online)http://hdl.handle.net/2263/52115In April 2013 a 48 MVA submerged arc furnace producing silicomanganese was excavated in South Africa. Since the high shell temperatures recorded in the tap-hole area resulted in the furnace being switched out for relining, the tap-hole area was excavated systematically. A refractory wear profile of the tap-hole area with affected hearth and sidewall refractory was obtained in elevation. The carbon ramming paste in front of, above, and below the tap-hole was worn, as was the SiC with which the tap-hole was built. A clay mushroom formed but was detached from the refractories. Thermodynamic and mass-transfer calculations were conducted to quantify the potential for wear by chemical reaction between refractory and slag and refractory and metal in the tap-hole area. It was found that chemical reaction between refractory and slag or metal could offer only a partial explanation for the wear observed; erosion is expected to contribute significantly to wear.en© The Southern African Institute of Mining and MetallurgyExcavationDig-outPost-mortemSubmerged arc furnaceSilicomanganeseRefractoryTap-holeThermodynamicsFACTSageMass transferEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-09SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructureEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-12SDG-12: Responsible consumption and productionArticle