Z-BLOK™

Ceramic Fiber Modules

Thorpe was there in the beginning.


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In the early to mid 1970s, ceramic fiber was beginning to be used in industrial furnaces. At higher temperatures this new product form, installed in a layered “wall paper” fashion, had serious deficiencies due to fiber shrinkage and attachment hardware exposed to the full operating conditions in the furnace. Thorpe recognized the potential of ceramic fiber as well as its inherent limitations in a blanket form and developed the first folded, pre-compressed ceramic fiber module, patented under the name Z-BLOK™. Z-BLOK™ modules were invented using engineering principles to accommodate for high temperature shrinkage and protect the hardware from the full operating temperatures.

Non-engineered systems are based upon a commodity module (one-size-fits-all), field cut-to-fit. Our engineered system utilizes custom designed shop fabricated modules for critical areas eliminating field fit “engineering” decisions by the installer. Z-BLOK™ modules have higher section modulus which enables the use of custom shop-fabricated modules required for difficult or critical areas. Large format (24″ x 24″) modules minimize both the number of anchors and also the number of joints between modules. The combined strengths and flexibility of this system provide many design options to solve specific problems or issues using a truly engineered lining system.

Z-BLOK™ has become the standard in the industry for the toughest chemical process and refinery furnace applications – the first module of its kind to be used in petrochemical applications above

1800° F. Z-BLOK™ has been continuously improved since its invention. Thorpe has continued to enhance our ability to provide engineered lining solutions to the industry with other engineered derivative products such as:

  • FIBERLITE™ Burner Tiles
  • FIBERLITE™ Peephole Blocks
  • Z-BLOK™ Flue Liners
  • DURALITE™ Peephole Tiles
  • Custom Bullnose Blocks
  • Radiant Heat-Shield Modules

Based on furnace variables such as size, shape, configurations and operating conditions, every
Z-BLOK™ lining is custom designed, including special shapes. Whether the furnace requires a complete rebuild or a patch to an existing lining, the Z-BLOK™ system can be designed for the job to minimize installation time and improve performance.

Call Thorpe to learn how you can improve your furnace reliability and

lower your maintenance costs.

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