The selection of refractory lining design and installation of targeted high-wear areas of torpedo ladle lining using innovative techniques have doubled the life of torpedo ladles to 2,500 cycles equating to the transport of 775kt hot metal per ladle before relining. This is the first step in the direction of endless lining in torpedo ladles, argues RB Gupta*

* The author is deputy general manager, Refractories SAIL.