Innovative Solutions to Complex Problems

Replacing a Doghouse On the Fly - and they said it couldn't be done safely!

Jun-27-2011

Replacing a doghouse "on the fly" - and they said it couldn't be done safely!

A Canadian company requested Allstates Refractory Contractors (ARC) and two other companies to submit a project plan to replace a severly damaged doghouse "on the fly." The customer required a guarantee that the project would be accomplished within the 10-day Christmas shutdown period and without adversely affecting the furnace, plant or personnel.  The two other companies declined to pursue the work because they perceived the work to be too risky to accomplishe safely and on time. 

Upon award of the project, ARC assembled its team of engineers, field personnel and managers to develop an innovative project plan to ensure safe completion of the project within the required time frame. 

The doghouse was 18.5 feet (5.6 m) in length and 52 inches (20.5 cm) tall.  ARC's plan involved drilling through the main crown and installing a picket fence of 10 to 12 water lances in order to freeze the flass int he back of the furnace and, correspondingly, seal off the doghouse.  Additional lances would then be placed in the doghouse to ensure the molten glass would freeze and create a barrier to keep the remaining 300 tons of molten glass from escaping.