Material is added to the furnace bottom by hoist using "supersacks" which are now available from most refractory suppliers, with specially designed spouts to reduce airborne dust.The furnace bottom is compacted in one operation, from the furnace deck, using a vibrator plate equipped with two pneumatic eccentric vibrators. The vibrator plate, custom designed to fit within one inch (25 mm) of the floor diameter ensuring even and full vibration, is lowered by hoist. Floor vibration is accomplished in about 12 minutes with no worker entering the confined space of the furnace and risking exposure to hazardous dust.
