What we review
Most refractory problems are cheaper to solve on paper than in a vessel. We review refractory designs, material specifications and installation procedures, and give technical advice on proposed repairs and replacement. The advice comes from engineers who have installed and inspected linings in FCC units, furnaces, kilns, incinerators and boilers, not from a desk.
- Refractory design reviews
- Material-specification reviews
- Installation procedure reviews
- Technical advice on proposed repairs and replacement
Inspection
We inspect refractory linings in reactors, regenerators, cyclones, transfer lines and associated equipment, both during shutdowns and while new lining goes in. That includes anchorage inspection before lining is placed and supervision of the installation within an agreed scope. We work to UOP, API and ASTM project specifications and report in writing, with photographs and recommendations.
Recent consultancy and inspection work
In 2024 we carried out refractory inspection on the T&I turnaround at Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery in Lincolnshire, for Refractory Inspection Services Ltd, with Ron Ramsell as refractory inspector. In 2023 we made an independent inspection of delivered convection heater modules for the Slavneft refinery at Yaroslavl. For Calderys we provided hydrocracker supervision at LUKOIL Kstovo in 2021.
On the LUKOIL Nizhny Novgorod FCC units, Ron worked as part of the UK supervision team managing the refractory subcontractor, on FCCU-1 from 2008 to 2010 and FCCU-2 from 2013 to 2014. More detail is on our project references and about pages.
Who gives the advice
Ron Ramsell has more than 40 years in the trade, most of it on FCC units, and has led the installation of five new-build FCC units with previous employers. Andrew Ramsell, our Operations Manager and Refractory Consultant, has worked as contract and quality manager and refractory inspector on RCSL's FCCU turnarounds at ENI Sannazzaro, LUKOIL and Phillips 66 Humber, and on the Prax Lindsey inspection. Advice is given by the people who would be accountable for the work on site.
Where it helps most
Consultancy is most useful before a turnaround: checking that the lining design and materials suit the duty, that the installation procedure is realistic in the time available, and that a proposed repair addresses the cause rather than the symptom. It also helps when an inspection has found damage and you need a clear recommendation on whether to repair, partially reline or replace.
What to send
- The question or decision you need help with
- Equipment details and existing lining information
- Drawings, reports or photographs
- When you need the advice
Use our enquiry form or call to discuss it. If the work goes ahead, we can also carry out the refractory installation.
Start a conversation
Planning a shutdown or chasing a lining problem?
Tell us the equipment, the site and your dates. We'll tell you how we can help and who will do the work.