search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
THE


REFRACTORIES ENGINEER


President’s Column Dear Members and Colleagues


Women’s World Cup Football, Cricket World Cup, Wimbledon Tennis and the longest day; all suggest it should be Summer…..a concept that has not been fully recognised by the weather patterns over in the UK. It means I have to go and find some sunshine in the Canary Islands in the middle of the UK Summer. Maybe Murphy will bless you all with good weather while I am away.


I have yet again been exposed to a situation where large financial losses have been incurred by an ignorance in refractory lining behaviour. As an institute of refractory engineers we promote the transfer of knowledge and experience to prevent these type of occurrences. It seems as if there is a great need for us to enrich more people with the better understanding of the workings of refractory materials. As we have lost most of our academic institutions that were involved with the teachings of this subject, It is amazing that the cost of mistakes has not been recognised by the industry to support the training of more qualified refractory engineers and inspectors. Is this possibly because the industry has found other ways to deal with it - like claiming from insurance policies? The dilution of the problem may actually be considered as burying our heads in the sand. That is to say if the concept of an ostrich hiding its head in the sand is actually true.


It is my belief that the IRE has to step up to the challenge of training people involved in the refractory industry. There are many refractory conferences all over the world, but to some extent they don’t seem to cover the topics related to the fundamentals of refractory design. How many inspectors are actually able to understand these highly technical papers? How many refractory engineers have set foot in the units they have designed after being


in operation, inspecting their own handiwork? How many plant shutdowns/ turnarounds has been performed where paperwork has been completed only for the sake of ticking a box?


Refractories are alive!!! Too many do not realise this!


Refractory linings/walls are built in ambient conditions. That is the start of their lives. Then it gets heated up, that is a growing up period. Some adolescence phases pass through this period; steam being blown off, phase changes, growing, expanding. Then it gets hammered with the realities of the world we live in; abuse, bullying, taxes, stress, anxiety, emotional yo-yo, accidents and the list goes on….. Eventually it cracks up, gets a cold, breaks an arm or leg; sometimes patched or repaired, other times replaced.


How many of you can imagine the condition of a refractory lining when it is in operation? When you look at a drawing, do an inspection, build a wall, do you actually consider where it will end up to be?


I am also pleased to share with you the input of one of our previous presidents, Ken Walker into the design of the IRE logo which I discussed in the previous journal. Apparently it was designed by Peter Atthis, during his year of Vice President or President (1988-1990). Digging into any notes made during that time may prove to be another challenge.


Time is running away with us and soon it will be the conference again. We will have some new first time speakers attending the conference and we look forward to how they can enrich us. There is still a place or two left for anyone who would like to contribute to this great event and it would be fantastic if we can get an end user to share with us something about their experiences.


Until next time, take care.


Jan DuPlessis Theron President


Institute of Refractories Engineers


The Institute of Refractories Engineers is dedicated to fostering the science, technology and skills of refractories engineering and to serving the needs of refractories engineers worldwide.


Aims: To raise the standard of ability and training in this field of science and technology. To promote and maintain the character, status and interest of members of the Institute. To disseminate information, facts, ideas, news or suggestions that may be of interest to members. To encourage the exchange of ideas and information among members to their benefit and to the benefit of the industries they serve.


The Institute is a non-profit making body and its entire income is applied solely to the promotion of these aims.


President’s Column


July 2019 Issue


3


www.irengineers.co.uk www.ireng.org


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32