Michael gave two Refractories training seminars in Fremantle/Kwinana. One was in-house at HiSmelt site, the second was an open forum held at the Tradewinds Hotel. In total some 22 delegates attended these events.

Michael spent a week on site at Roxby Downs (with Aker) to establish the Study’s prelimary scope and familiarise with current operations.

Paul spent a week in Tianjin, China supporting Ana Darko with the construction of three topside structures and process equipment.

Paul visited China to assist Kerr-McGee Petroleum (now Ana Darko) with metallurgical studies on their developments.

During my recent European trip, I was fortunate to sample a number of excellent Czech brews, including the original Gambrinus, Kozel and Budweiser. (not to be confused with the rather insipid US drink of the same name!). I therefore felt it appropriate to feature one as our BoM. I was going to feature a micro-brewed dark lager, but felt that would be a waste of time since none is exported. The decision as to which to feature, was made for me as I left the Czech republic by train to Frankfurt via Nuremberg. On this route, the train passes within a Kilometre of the immense Plzensky Prazdroj complex on the outskirts of Plzen, which includes the Pilsner Urquell brewery. This very famous brand still retains the elegance of traditional manufacture, even though the Miller group now owns it.

Beer has been produced here since the 1840’s, but now of course Pilsner Urquell is world famous. Justifiably so, and there is probably not a better mass produced lager in the world. Bottom fermented in the traditional way, PU finishes with a modest 4.4 % alcohol, but retains that ‘harmonic’, pleasantly bitter taste of a good lager, without any harsh or unwanted aftertaste.

The beer is widely available here; so don’t waste time thinking about it! Action speaks loudest. Good drinking.

Michael

P.S. You would not believe how cheap this is in Prague Supermarkets, sold in 500ml bottles!

Refmet was awarded a design assistance assignment by Unimin P/L for the strategic upgrade of their Shaft kiln linings throughout Australia.

As part of his ongoing shutdown planning assistance to Nyrstar Hobart, Michael visited the site of Siam Refractories near Saraburi in Central Thailand, to inspect the latest consignment of bricks, prior to despatch to Tasmania.

Paul has commenced the third party validation of all of the Safety Critical Equipment to be used as part of the BHP Billiton Chinook-1 completion equipment.  Paul has made several visits to the work shops of Helix Well Operations in Jandakot, W.A to witness testing of riser piping, flow-heads and running tools.

In his position as President of the Australian branch of the Institute of Refractories Engineers, Michael attended the Annual conference of Manufacturing Skills Australia, the Industry Training board with relevance to the Training of Refractory Installers.  The conference was attended by both the Minister and Shadow minister for education and Training, and highlighted the different approach from the two main parties.

Paul conducted a corrosion and materials study for the Roc Oil China Zhao Dong Extended Reach Area project.  The study consisted of the review of corrosion conditions and selection of materials of construction of the process equipment on-board two weld head casing platforms that are bridge-linked to a central pipeline terminal platform.  The work also included the selection of materials for some of the brown-field updates to the Zhao Dong platform.

Michael attended the Biennial UNITECR refractories conference in Dresden, Germany where he presented a technical paper, co-authored by Paul.  While in Europe, Michael also visited several engineers of interest, and a major refractories production plant in the Czech republic, near Brno.

RefMet presented the first of three of its 2007 conference papers this month.  Michael presented a paper co-authored with Mr Graeme Quigley, of Dynamic Structures Pty Ltd, titled “When a Refractory Failure Isn’t! – More Anchor Issues”.  The paper was presented at the IRE Annual Conference in Sydney.

Paul, later the same week presented a paper, also co-authored with Graeme Quigley, titled “Material Characteristics That Have the Greatest Influence on the Survival of Refractory Anchorage Systems” at the IMEA and ACS conference Austceram and Materials 2007.  The conference was also in Sydney.

These papers will be on our “Technical Pages” section soon.

Paul’s work for the month consisted of corrosion and materials selection studies for British Gas India’s Hydra Project and Chevron Thailand’s Platong Gas II Project.  On-going welding and manufacturing support was provided to the Nexus Energy Longtom Project.

Ruddles County Ale comes from deepest East Anglia in the UK, and is a relative newcomer to the Australian market. It has a warm brown-red hue, achieved with the use of the rare Bramling Cross hop, and brewed to 4.7%. Its taste fulfils expectations, being mellow with a hint of bitter toffee, with an aroma of soft fruit and hops. This beer comes with my normal warning for UK beers-do not overchill it, this is best appreciated at a temperature of about 12-15°C. Available from Dan Murphy’s and other good stores.

happy drinking, Michael