The reconstruction of the hearth of a 2000 m3 blast furnace at the Bhi
lai Works in India is described. The improved operational reliability
obtained is attributed to the increase in hearth lining thickness with
in the limits of the existing furnace support system, the use of micro
porous carbon refractories, improvements in the cooling system, and th
e use of systems to diagnose the state of the refractory lining and co
olers.