Schedule
12–14 October 2026 • InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza • Kansas City, MO, USA
Monday, 12 October 2026 | |
| 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 This section will discuss the available raw materials, their use and why. It will then address how they are combined to be made into brick. |
| 9:20 a.m. | Break |
| 9:30 a.m. | Brick Manufacturing Korey Skala, HWI Review of fired and unfired refractory brick production, including raw materials to finished products. |
| 10:15 a.m. | Raw Materials and Castables Ruth Engel, Refractory Consulting Services |
| 10:45 a.m. | Break |
| 11 a.m. | Insulation and Ladle Construction Design Robert Doty and Simon Leiderman, 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 Ed Erny, Intocast |
| 1:45 p.m. | Break |
| 2 p.m. | Ladle Free Opens Jamie Lash, AJF Inc. This presentation will cover typical sand blends, methods of delivery, diagnosis of failures and how to optimize free opens in every unique steel shop, while introducing developing technology and safety aspects throughout the industry. |
| 2:45 p.m. | Break |
| 3 p.m. | Best Practices for Refractories Karen Uffalussy, Allied Mineral Products This presentation will cover recommended refractory practices for brick, monolithics and castables for ladles and furnaces of various types. This will include suggested best practices, do's and don'ts, guidelines vs. real-life discussion, and a handful of examples. |
| 3:45 p.m. | Break |
| 4–5:30 p.m. | Panel Discussion and Reception Moderator: James Barrett, Allied Mineral Products Panelists: Robert Doty, IMACRO Inc.; Karen Uffalussy, Allied Mineral Products |
Tuesday, 13 October 2026 | |
| 7 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8 a.m. | Secondary Steelmaking Process — LMF & VTD Judy Qiujin Li, Nucor Steel–Berkeley Primary secondary refining process ladle metallurgy furnace (LMF) and vacuum tank degasser (VTD), focusing on the best practice of steel cleanliness. |
| 9 a.m. | Laser Technology to Measure Refractory Wear Sean Guy, Vesuvius Process Metrix A seminar on using a laser technology to understand what is going on with refractory inside your molten metal vessels. |
| 9:30 a.m. | Break |
| 9:45 a.m. | Tundish Design Fred Adkins, HWI, a member of Calderys Discussing the concepts of different tundish refractory linings, the purpose of flow modifiers and the effect they have on optimization of steel quality and consistent caster performance. Design and ergonomics of different installation equipment will also be covered. |
| 10:30 a.m. | Break |
| 10:45 a.m. | Infrared Systems Supporting Secondary Processing Refractories Thomas Connors, Connors Industrials Inc. Measuring kinetic activities at the furnace, ladle metallurgy furnace or vacuum tank degasser affecting secondary processing refractories as measured by infrared. |
| 11:15 a.m. | Refractory Materials Testing Rakesh Dhaka, U. S. Steel Research and Technology Center This will be a discussion of various test methods to evaluate different refractory materials for steelmaking applications. |
| Noon | Lunch |
| 1 p.m. | Ladle Breakout — Failure Investigation David Ehrhart, RHI Magnesita This presentation will discuss investigation strategies for ladle and slidegate failure and offer insight on potential root causes. |
| 1:45 p.m. | EAF Deltas/Shapes Paul Thibodeau, Allied Mineral Products Inc. Presentation of the purpose, function, designs and materials used in modern-day electric arc furnace deltas. |
| 2:30 p.m. | Break |
| 2:45 p.m. | Flow Control Chris Byerley, Vesuvius |
| 3:30 p.m. | Refractory Recycling Nicole Sweet, Forge & Fern Advisory This will be a high-level presentation discussing the process and benefits of recycling obsolete or spent refractory materials. |
| 4:30 p.m. | Adjourn |
Wednesday, 14 October 2026 | |
| 7 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8 a.m. | Plant Tour of Nucor Steel Sedalia LLC* *Tour size may be limited and attendance subject to final plant approval |
| Noon | Return From Plant Tour and Conference Adjourn |