Biography
I started my career in 1993 in Owens Illinois as a furnace designer. Over the next decade, I gained my expertise in this role, contributing to projects at the company’s Technical Center in Italy and in Toledo, USA. This experience allowed me to deepen my knowledge in glass container technology.
In 2003, I transitioned to different OEMs as Chief Technologist, leading and developing numerous international projects. My role involved close collaboration with global clients, ensuring innovative and efficient solutions tailored to their specific needs.
Since 2022 joined RHI Magnesita as Technical Marketing Manager for the glass industry focusing on the development and application of refractory solutions for high-temperature processes.
My work is centered on the interaction between refractory materials and furnace design, and their performance under increasingly demanding operating conditions. I am involved in the optimization of lining concepts, addressing challenges related to thermal efficiency, corrosion resistance, and campaign lifetime.
Presentation
The transition toward hybrid furnace concepts, oxy-fuel combustion, and hydrogen-enriched firing is significantly altering the thermochemical conditions in glass furnaces. These changes result in lower crown temperatures combined with increased water vapor and alkali activity, accelerating corrosion and degradation of conventional silica and fused-cast AZS refractories, particularly in crown and superstructure areas.
To address these challenges, this study evaluates the performance of a high-purity magnesia–alumina spinel (MgAl₂O₄) refractory based on an equimolar MgO–Al₂O₃ composition. The material is characterized by a homogeneous crystalline microstructure, high phase stability, and low chemical reactivity in sodium-rich environments. Its high melting point (~2135°C) provides a strong basis for high-temperature applications.
Thermomechanical performance was assessed through refractoriness-under-load (RUL) and creep testing. The material exhibits RUL values above 1800°C and stable deformation behavior under sustained load at 1650°C over extended durations. Corrosion resistance was investigated using alkali vapor exposure tests, demonstrating significantly reduced sodium penetration and degradation compared to conventional refractory systems. Additionally, the spinel composition shows resistance to boron-containing atmospheres, supporting its applicability in borosilicate glass environments.
These results indicate that high-purity MgO–Al₂O₃ spinel refractories are a promising solution for demanding applications in glass furnace crowns and superstructures. Their use can contribute to extended furnace campaign lifetime, improved resistance to aggressive atmospheres, and enhanced operational reliability in next-generation glass melting technologies.