Low and Slow – How to Get the Perfect Bakeout

6 October 2015,
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Remember the last time you did something that you knew you shouldn’t do, but you did it anyway? Like having that bacon double-cheeseburger when you were trying to lose weight? Or buying that 60” flat screen TV on credit when you didn’t have the budget for it? Human beings are imperfect creatures. From time-to-time we’re all guilty of taking shortcuts…Read More ›


Keeping the Job on Track When Disaster Strikes

22 September 2015,
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Fourth of July weekend is a common time for aluminum manufacturers to perform routine maintenance. Many have very tight maintenance schedules during these two or three days of downtime. It’s one of our busiest times of the year. But not even the best-laid plans can protect you from catastrophe. And that’s exactly what happened to us this past July 4th…Read More ›


Repair or Replace? Our Recommendations for a 12-Year-Old Cyclone

18 September 2015,
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When it comes to evaluating aging or depreciated heat processing equipment, the “repair or replace” conversation is common. “Can we squeeze more life out of it? Or should we bite the bullet and incur the capital cost?” Sometimes it’s a cut-and-dried decision, and sometimes it’s not so clear. The following case study is a good example of the evaluation process…Read More ›


Proper Anchor Selection

10 August 2015,
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Proper anchor selection and installation is one of the foundations to help assure a successful refractory installation project. Over 60% of structural monolithic refractory failures are caused by the contractor’s (or design engineer’s) lack of understanding of proper anchor design and installation. A Brief History of Refractory Anchors The early twentieth century monolithic refractories were commonly plastic. At that time…Read More ›


Case Study: Mobilizing a 100-Man Job in 24 Hours

5 August 2015,
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Recently, we completed one of the most challenging projects – if not the most challenging project – that we’ve encountered over the past decade in our Knoxville office. The job started out pretty straightforward. Our customer was taking down two rotary kilns for some routine maintenance – small repairs and gunning work in the kiln and fines chute. Based on…Read More ›