Volume 5 (Issue 1)
B.U. Anyanwu, S.O. Owoeye, F.O. Durodola, O.O. Nuga and L.O. Jayesimi
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ABSTRACT
The performance of retort furnaces depends on material quality, especially the type of linings and walls, used in their development. This research was aimed to evaluate FUNAAB CLAY deposits enhanced with aluminium phosphate (APC) for linings and walls in retort furnaces. Clay deposits around FUNAAB were collected, enhanced with various amounts of aluminium phosphate (0 – 25 %wt) and characterized for mineralogical contents using x-ray fluorescence and x-ray diffractometer. The deposits were used to produce several samples of linings and walls (bricks) following recommendations from standard codes. Key physico-mechanical and thermal properties: density (ρ), porosity (y), crushing strength (σ), drying shrinkage (Ꜫ), firing shrinkage (γ), thermal shock (Ꞇ) and refractoriness (α) were evaluated on them. Results for mineralogy showed that the unenhanced deposits contained 49.15 %wt SiO2 and 19.25 % wt Al2O3; while the enhanced ones had 49.59 %wt and 26.25 %wt of both oxides, respectively. These were further confirmed by diffractometry showing presence of silica, alumina, limestone and periclase with silica being more intense. Sample B5, had the best combined properties (ρ= 1.78 g/cm3, =16.54%, σ= 24.40 MPa, Ꜫ= 0.49%, γ = 2.01%, Ꞇ= 8.10 cycles, α = 1398 oC) compared to the control sample, B1 (ρ= 1.79 g/cm3, y= 17.69%, σ= 18.52 MPa, Ꜫ= 0.62%, γ= 2.23%, Ꞇ= 4.88 cycles, α= 1192 oC). The results showed that FUNAAB clay deposits enhanced with aluminium phosphate cannot sustain temperatures up to 1550oC on retort furnaces, but could for temperatures
below 1398 oC.
Keywords: Clay, deposits, linings, walls, retort furnace
Received: January 2026. Accepted: February, 2026. Published: March, 2026