Tuesday, 21 October 2025 |
7 a.m. | Registration and Breakfast |
8 a.m. | Keynote Presentation |
8:30 a.m. | Introductions
Jimmy Barrett, Allied Mineral Products Inc. |
8:45 a.m. | Raw Materials, Bricks and Shapes, Monolithics
Ruth Engel, Refractory Consulting Services
The seminar will start by discussing the raw materials used in the manufacture of refractories, why they are used and their characteristics. With this understanding, a discussion will be carried out on the role of the different components and their effect on the properties of the brick. This knowledge will be extended to castables where additional parameters like installation and dryout will be covered. |
9:45 a.m. | Break |
10 a.m. | Refractory Brick Manufacturing
Korey Skala, HWI, A Member of Calderys
Review of fired and unfired refractory brick production, including raw materials to finished products. |
10:45 a.m. | Break |
11 a.m. | Insulation and Ladle Construction Design
Robert Doty, IMACRO Inc.
This presentation features a wide-ranging discussion about the many options in ladle refractory design. The basics of heat transfer will be covered from molten steel through layers of refractories to steel ladle shells, followed by insulation choices, how they affect ladle shell temperatures and refractory expansion dynamics. |
Noon | Lunch |
1 p.m. | Ladle Preheat and Handling |
1:45 p.m. | Break |
2 p.m. | Steel Ladle Free Opens 101
James Lash, AJF Inc.
How to optimize free opens in every unique steel shop. |
2:45 p.m. | Break |
3 p.m. | Best Practices for Refractories.
|
4–5:30 p.m. | Panel Discussion and Reception
Moderator: Robert Doty, IMACRO Inc., Abhishek Bhansali, Nucor Steel–Berkeley
|
Wednesday, 22 October 2025 |
7 a.m. | Breakfast |
8 a.m. | Secondary Steelmaking Process – LMF
Abhishek Bhansali, Nucor Steel–Berkeley
This presentation provides an overview of the fundamental metallurgical processes and operational aspects involved in secondary steelmaking, with a specific emphasis on the ladle metallurgy furnace. Additionally, it addresses the practical challenges that arise during these processes. The presentation then delves into the impact of slags on refractory wear. Finally, the presentation concludes by discussing the significance of steel cleanliness and calcium treatment. |
9 a.m. | Laser Technology to Measure Refractory Wear
Sean Guy, Vesuvius
|
9:30 a.m. | Break |
9:45 a.m. | Tundish Refractory
Filipe Fabri, Vesuvius
This session will present the different refractories that control the liquid steel flow, how they interact with steel, how they can impact on quality, how to evaluate different designs through modeling, and the latest technologies and trends in the market, from tundish linings and flow control systems to automation and robotics. |
10:15 a.m. | Break |
11 a.m. | Infrared Technologies Use in Secondary Processing and Lade Refractories
John Lewis, Connors Industrials Inc.
Practical descriptions and uses of infrared technology to improve safety, process modification and ladle life. |
11:30 a.m. | Refractory Materials Testing
|
Noon
| Lunch |
1 p.m. | Ladle Breakout — Failure Investigation
David Ehrhart, RHI Magnesita
|
1:45 p.m. | Refractory Products for EAF and BOF Steelmaking
Mike Clark, HWI, A Member of Calderys
This presentation shall cover the design of both brick and monolithic refractory products used in electric arc furnace and basic oxygen furnace applications. Wear mechanisms will be explained, as well as methods to prevent such mechanisms through optimization of refractory systems and steelmaking process improvements. |
2:30 p.m. | Break |
2:45 p.m. | EAF Deltas/Shapes
Paul Thibodeau, Allied Mineral Products Inc.
Present purpose, function, designs and materials used in modern-day electric arc furnace deltas. |
3:30 p.m. | Flow Control Products
Joshua Kaser, RHI Magnesita
|
4:30 p.m. | Adjourn |
Thursday, 10 October 2024 |
7 a.m. | Breakfast |
8 a.m. | Plant Tour of Cleveland-Cliffs Middletown Works
|
Noon | Return From Plant Tour and Conference Adjourn |
