NLMK’s Air Heater № 10 Overhaul Completion.

Air heater refractory lining repair by shotcreting includes dismantling of the destroyed layer remaining bricks and a subsequent complete restoration of the combustor refractory lining.

The aim of the project is to meet the technical requirements of NLMK, PJSC, and namely, to ensure trouble-free operation of the restored unit lining during its service life.

On the first day, the equipment and materials are delivered and placed on the site, the equipment is connected, and a heated enclosure is installed. A visual inspection of the lining of the combustor is performed. On discovering overhanging lining, a decision is made on either dismantling or fixing it.

Depending on the condition of the lining, the anchors are either clogged or shot with a powder spray gun. The formwork is installed on the lower half of the fitting. After applying shotcrete and setting it, the formwork is disassembled and the upper half of the fitting is shotcrete.

Air heater combustor shotcrete is made in rings. Depending on the condition of the lining, the anchors are either hammered or shot, then the formwork is installed and shotcrete is carried out.

Refracon Installations, LLC, has extensive experience in repairing air heater linings. In the last 3 years alone, the following repairs to the lining of air heaters have been carried out:

2025: AH № 1 and AH № 11 of EVRAZ ZSMK, JSC; AH-26 of MMK, PJSC;

2024: AH № 1 B and AH № 3 of CHMK, PJSC; AH № 11 of EVRAZ ZSMK, JSC;

2023: AH № 9 of TulaCherMet, JSC; AH № 13 of CHMK, PJSC;