The present invention relates to a furnace comprising a wall having an inner surface (2) comprising a plurality of bricks (102) and / or compressible ramming
mass (103) and a plurality of first steel inserts (104). The first steel inserts (104) are arranged between the bricks (102) and / or compressible ramming
mass (103). The present invention also relates to a cooling element comprising a plurality of bricks (102) and / or compressible ramming
mass (103), a plurality of first steel inserts (104), a method for generating an autogenous protective layer on an inner surface (2) of the furnace and to the use of the furnace in a direct
iron reduction process, electric
smelting process, electric reduction process,
flash smelting process, flash converting process, bath
smelting process or bath converting process is provided.