TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE OF THE THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF A GROG MODIFIED KENYAN KAOLINITE REFRACTORY

Thermal conductivity values, in the temperature range 300 – 1200 K, have been measured in air and at atmospheric pressure for a Kenyan kaolinite refractory with 0% - 50% grog proportions. The experimental thermal conductivity values were then compared with those calculated using the Zumbrunnen et al [1] and the Litovsky and Shapiro [2] theoretical models. The experimental values for samples prepared without or low percentages of grog increased with increase in temperature as predicted (reasonably good fit observed) by both the theoretical models, with the Litovsky and Shapiro's model giving theoretical values that were generally closer to experimental values than the Zumbrunnen et al's model. On the contrary, the conductivity values for the sample containing iÝ 40% decreased with increase in temperature in a manner consistent with the Eucken law. African Journal of Science and Technology Vol.5(1) 2004: 6-14