Post-mortem study of magnesia-chromite refractory used in Peirce-Smith Converter for copper-making process, supported by thermochemical calculations

Thermochemical calculations were carried out to support the post-mortem study. An evaluation was made of the chemical interaction between the molten phases and the refractory under different conditions (slag-refractory volume ratio and Fe/SiO2 ratio in slag). The solidus and liquidus of the new phases, the amount and composition of the spinel and olivine formed, and the density increase of the refractory in the reaction layer were also determined.