Engineering tool

Rotary Kiln Lining Quantity Calculator

Estimate the volume, mass and order quantity of refractory for a rotary kiln section, plus the resulting inner diameter and hot-face area.

Order quantity t
Net mass t
Lining volume
Inner diameter after lining m
Hot-face area

Enter the shell inside diameter, not the outside. If a backup insulation layer is fitted, subtract it from the diameter first.

Formulas used

  • Inner diameter = shell ID − 2 × lining thickness
  • Lining volume = π ÷ 4 × (D² − d²) × length
  • Net mass (t) = volume × bulk density ÷ 1000
  • Hot-face area = π × d × length

Practical notes

  • The result is a purchasing estimate for one cylindrical section. Nose rings, inlet and outlet cones and transition zones need separate figures.
  • Bulk density comes from the datasheet of the specific brick or castable; using a generic figure is the commonest source of a wrong tonnage.

Frequently asked questions

Should I use the shell inside or outside diameter?

The inside diameter of the steel shell. If insulation sits behind the working lining, deduct twice its thickness from that diameter before entering it here.

How much waste allowance is reasonable?

For a plain cylindrical section 3–5% covers ordinary cutting and breakage. Cones, transitions and complex shapes need more, and are better estimated separately.