Patent ID: 7438004

Claim:
A method, comprising containing a high-temperature alkali salt containing environment using a refractory containment liner containing MgAl 2 O 4 spinel forming a refractory brick containing MgAl 2 O 4 spinel having an exterior chill zone defined by substantially columnar crystallization and an interior zone defined by substantially equiaxed crystallization; and removing at least a portion of the exterior chill zone from the refractory brick containing MgAl 2 O 4 spinel by scalping the refractory brick to define at least one outer surface having an area of substantially equiaxed crystallization, wherein the refractory containment liner containing MgAl 2 O 4 spinel includes the refractory brick containing MgAl 2 O 4 spinel, wherein removing includes scalping to define at least five outer surfaces having areas of substantially equiaxed crystallization.