¦SPOTLIGHT
By REBL Refractories Evaluations Laboratory
Bridging the Gap: Refractory Technology and Expertise REBL Refractories Evaluations Laboratory Ltd. has gained considerable experience over its 25-plus year history with major industrial projects throughout Canada and the U.S. After recognizing that a client did not have access to refractory technical support and quality oversight within its own pool of resources, professional engineer Mary Windfield realized the need for such expertise was widespread amongst companies in western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest. In response, she founded REBL Refractories Evaluations Laboratory Ltd. in 1992. Today, REBL has a documented record with long-term clients of improving the performance and service life of refractories for industrial applications. The company’s reputation for providing clients with highly valuable technical guidance on refractories expanded the markets served and geography to across North America.
Wood and Pellet Industry
The wood industry has been one of REBL’s key markets for longer than two decades. Some examples of segments served include biomass energy systems refractory linings in oriented strand board facilities and wood pellet manufacturing. REBL is comprised of a highly knowledgeable and experienced team of refractory engineers, consultants and inspectors in Canada and the U.S. The company is also proud to have three laboratories in Canada to provide physical property testing of refractory materials with access to resources in the southern U.S., and other elaborate analytical testing methods. A few of the many services include: • Independent third-party refractory consultation • Maintenance planning and refractory failure analysis • Plant shutdown and capital project refractory quality assurance • On-site refractory quality assurance (QA) inspection services and oversight of contractors • Comprehensive reports and photos at all steps of a project to help with future planning
32 BIOMASS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 2, 2021
REBL’s services have benefited its clients by creating for them an expert comprehensive refractory service for new construction of energy systems, plant maintenance or any refractory-related project. REBL helps bridge the gap for clients on refractory technology by bringing essential knowledge of best practices, and is proud to maintain a reputation for avoiding a conflict of interest with refractory manufacturers, suppliers and refractory installation contractors.
Value to Clients
The value to clients includes asset risk mitigation, identification of opportunities for continuous improvement in service life, and assisting clients in gaining greater reliability in equipment operation. The first project done for clients is important, and even more critical are the subsequent future projects that allow for identification and implementation of improvements in refractory anchor systems, material selection and installation methods. Part of achieving this includes REBL personnel participating in meetings with facility engineering and maintenance management and stakeholders. All REBL personnel are American Petroleum Institute 936 Certified, with API 936 being a leading industrial standard in specifications on monolithic refractory installation quality guidelines and applicable to other industrial sectors. Safety is top priority for REBL, which has a proven history of personnel knowing and abiding by industry, government regulatory agencies and clients’ safety standards. REBL’s safety program includes being subscribed with ISNetworld, Avetta and ComplyWorks. REBL personnel provide oversight of proper quality control documentation, procedures and project execution by refractory contractors and the suppliers of the materials for a given project. Clients have one or more
experts at new construction and maintenance projects with the additional remote support of REBL’s team of subject matter experts.
Project Examples
Some specific examples of projects REBL has successfully completed with clients include the following. • Refractory installation inspection. REBL was a key factor in responding to the emergency shutdown of an OSB plant’s energy system. Work included assessing the repair scope, subsequent inspection of the installation to assure proper installation procedures, and aiding in assuring a planned budget. • Refractories repair. REBL inspected all refractory-lined units in the plant, including heaters, prepared all repair work scopes, liaised with the refractory contractor, monitored progress and documented all repairs. • Wood pellet manufacturing greenfield and OSB plant conversion projects. REBL has participated in projects for wood pellet producers involving new construction or relining existing energy systems at obsolete OSB plants. REBL’s active daily shift presence at the execution phase of construction enabled the implementation of sound design decisions for areas that were not predicted and addressed in the project specifications or construction drawings. REBL may have been able to anticipate these issues if part of the planning and development phases. REBL’s presence during construction helped avoid potential design weaknesses that later could result in possible unplanned downtime or increased repair scope in the future. REBL bridged the gap between the client’s needs and the work being performed by the refractory contractor. In summary, REBL can help owners and operators of biomass energy systems feel confident that they are making fully informed decisions on refractory linings to meet the service life goals for equipment.
