In copper smeltingCopper Smelting and pyrometallurgyPyrometallurgy, refractoryRefractories degradationDegradation is a major issue affecting operationsOperation, safetySafety, and profitability. One solution is intense wall coolingCooling using water-cooled copperCopper blocks, which form a protective freeze liningFreeze lining of solidified slagSlag on furnaceFurnace walls. This layer protects the refractoryRefractories and extends its life, even allowing operationOperation with minimal or no refractoryRefractories. However, freeze liningFreeze lining poses challenges, notably the risk of steam explosionsSteam explosions that can occur especially if the coolingCooling block gets damaged, exposing water (coolant) to the moltenMolten bath. Thus, adopting freeze liningFreeze lining should be gradual and based on fundamental knowledge and competence building, including at Umicore Hoboken. CurrentCurrent work addresses concerns about freeze liningFreeze lining, such as the impact of a dynamic slagSlag composition on its thickness and stability. It also summarizes research on mitigating risks, like using alternative coolants to prevent steam explosionsSteam explosions.