The mixer furnace is used in to store molten steel and maintain and homogenize the temperature of molten iron in the steel plant. Sometimes it is also used to remove impurities in the molten iron. 

The mixer furnace is usually fueled with coal gas and its operating temperature is 1500-1550℃. It is generally in horizontal cylindrical shape with spherical-shaped end walls

 

The lining thickness of the mixer furnace is generally 600-800mm. 10-20mm asbestos board, ceramic fiber felt or calcium silicate board is laid on the furnace shell. Then 113-230mm fire clay insulation bricks or cenosphere bricks are constructed. The working layer is constructed with fire clay brick and high alumina brick. The working layer of the basic mixer furnace lining is usually constructed with magnesia bricks. Parts that do not contact molten iron are constructed with magnesia alumina bricks. High alumina bricks are used in some parts. The working layer of the acid mixer furnace lining is generally constructed with silica bricks. 

 

Its spherical-shaped end walls are generally fixed and form an integrated furnace with the cylindrical body. End walls can also be made into a removable structure to facilitate maintenance. Gas burners are installed in the upper part of the end walls and tap hole. The burner bricks are made of high alumina materials. The working layer of the furnace cover lining of the iron loading nozzle requires regular maintenance due to brick falling. It is generally constructed with fire clay bricks. When the complete working layer is constructed with refractory castables or plastic materials, its service life is greatly expanded. 

 

In the short cylindrical mixer furnace, slag stopping board is installed in the iron outlet to avoid the outflowing of molten slags when pouring molten iron. The slag stopping brick is constructed with semi-graphite brick or graphite brick. 

 

Since the lining of the mixer furnace is subjected to erosion by molten iron and molten slag, temperature changes and dynamic load vibration, it is easy to be damaged, especially slag line area, the iron outlet arch, installed iron intake and joints of the cylindrical body. During a campaign, those areas require regular repair.