Key Responsibilities
1. Refractory Planning & Installation:
- Plan and execute refractory relining, gunning, patching, fettling, and maintenance for all SMS units.
- Supervise refractory lining of EAF roof, hearth, sidewall, spout, LF/VD ladles, and tundish.
- Ensure proper drying, baking, and preheating procedures are followed before furnace start-up.
- Implement best practices for monolithic, brick, and castable installation ensuring adherence to drawings and specifications.
- Coordinate with operations for lining schedules, ensuring minimum downtime and maximum equipment life.
2. Refractory Performance Monitoring:
- Record and analyze refractory consumption, life, and performance data for each furnace and ladle campaign.
- Monitor ladle refractory wear patterns, metal tapping temperatures, and slag chemistry to optimize refractory life.
- Track tundish and working lining performance for casting consistency and quality.
- Conduct failure analysis and root cause identification for premature refractory wear or damage.
- Suggest design or material improvements for life enhancement.
3. Material Management & Coordination:
- Plan refractory material requirements based on production schedules and consumption trends.
- Inspect incoming refractory materials for quality, dimensions, and specifications before acceptance.
- Maintain and update inventory records, ensuring optimum stock levels to avoid production disruption.
- Coordinate with purchase and stores for timely availability of materials.
- Support vendor performance evaluation and refractory trials for new products or suppliers.
4. Process & Quality Control:
- Ensure refractory lining quality through visual inspection, dimensional checks, and adherence to standard procedures.
- Monitor slag and steel chemistry, as well as operating temperature parameters that affect refractory life.
- Collaborate with operation teams to maintain optimum slag basicity and furnace operating conditions.
- Prepare and maintain refractory life charts, material consumption reports, and daily refractory usage data.
5. Maintenance & Improvement:
- Implement preventive maintenance schedules for refractory handling equipment (gunning machines, mixers, vibrators, etc.).
- Participate in refractory failure analysis and performance review meetings.
- Support continuous improvement (Kaizen, TPM, Six Sigma) activities related to refractory performance and cost control.
- Contribute to cost reduction by optimizing refractory consumption per ton of steel.
6. Safety & Compliance:
- Follow and enforce all safety procedures during refractory handling, installation, and furnace operations.
- Ensure use of PPE and safe tools/equipment during hot area work.
- Conduct job safety analysis (JSA) for high-temperature maintenance and lining work.
- Ensure proper waste refractory disposal and environmental compliance.
- Promote and maintain 5S and housekeeping standards in refractory storage and working areas.
7. Coordination & Reporting:
- Coordinate with Operations, Mechanical, Electrical, and Production Planning teams for refractory-related maintenance activities.
- Support refractory audits, cost analysis reports, and vendor performance evaluations.
- Prepare daily and monthly refractory performance reports for management review.
- Maintain detailed records of refractory lining history and performance trends.
Qualifications & Experience:
Education:
- Diploma / B.E. / B.Tech in Ceramic Engineering / Metallurgy / Mechanical Engineering
Experience:
- Engineer: 3–6 years of experience in refractory maintenance in SMS or steel plant (EAF/LF/VD/CCM areas).
- Sr. Engineer: 6–10 years of experience in refractory planning, lining, and performance monitoring.
Key Skills & Competencies:
- Strong technical knowledge of refractory materials, installation techniques, and performance parameters.
- Familiar with EAF, LF, VD, and CCM refractory systems and their operational impact.
- Hands-on experience in refractory relining, gunning, and inspection activities.
- Analytical ability for failure analysis, life tracking, and optimization.
- Understanding of refractory–slag–metal interaction and its effect on lining life.
- Good coordination, reporting, and leadership skills.
- Working knowledge of SAP / MS Excel / Maintenance Management Systems.
- Strong focus on safety, quality, and cost control.