Retrospect 2022
A sea of smiling faces revealed what we all already knew; our community was delighted to meet face-to-face again to delve into the world of duplex stainless steel. Large white ‘domes’ served as seminar rooms on the exhibition floor, visitors to Heat Exchanger World Europe conference and exhibition joined the duplex crowd, and the views out over the Maas River and Rotterdam city were spectacular. While this year had a stronger European focus than previous years, we also welcomed speakers from Australia, USA, India, Oman and Brazil.
Technical seminar program:
Delegates knew they could expect a seminar program of high technical quality. The Steering Committee, expertly led by Chairman Bruce Cowe from TotalEnergies, had crafted an excellent program covering many aspects of the manufacture and use of duplex stainless steels.
The event kicked off with two engaging keynote addresses. First was Johnny Eliasson from Chevron Shipping Company in California. Johnny gave a fascinating talk about the development of the first duplex stainless steel chemical tankers back in the 1980s and how this innovation, which was brought about by disruptive thinking and a great deal of collaboration, changed the industry forever.
Audience participation:
The first day of the Seminar was packed with technical paper sessions:
- Opportunities & challenges for duplex in renewable energy,
- Welding and additive manufacturing,
- Corrosion,
- Manufacturing, including casting & forging,
- Assuring in-service reliability: enhanced tests and standards for QA/QC,
- Lesson learned.
The audience was keen to get involved, posing questions, debating points and sharing their valuable experience and knowledge. This was helped by using a soft ‘Catch Box’ microphone which could be quickly tossed to people.
Some of the speakers in action, L to R: Tim Collins (world stainless), Andres Acuna (Ohio State Uni), Dirk Engelberg (Uni of Manchester) & Geoff Warburton (Wilco Oilfield Services), and Roger Francis (Nickel Institute).
Pictured is Prof Ladwein receiving his award from Seminar organiser, Joanne McIntyre.
Prof. Thomas Ladwein receives Duplex World Lifetime Achievement Award
The Award honours an individual who has excelled in their efforts to selflessly share their knowledge and experience, and promote the use of duplex stainless steels as a sustainable, efficient, and successful materials solution. Having spent most of his career focused on corrosion and corrosion resistant materials, Professor Thomas Ladwein is a widely recognised authority on the subject. After getting his PhD Thomas worked at a fabricator before moving to Thyssen Edelstahl. When the plate division was sold to Avesta Polarit in 2003, he took up a position as Professor of Electrochemistry and Corrosion in the Surface and Materials Science program at Aalen University, Germany for the last seventeen years of his career. Thomas has been a member of the Steering Committees of the Stainless Steel World conference since the very first event in 1999, and of Duplex World since 1997.
All aboard the SS Rotterdam!
On the evening of 1 November, participants made their way to the majestic SS Rotterdam, a cruise ship permanently anchored in the harbour, which now serves as a unique hotel and party venue. Guests were welcomed into the elegant salon and bar before making their way to the split-level grand dining room.
Live music contributed to the relaxed atmosphere as diners mixed and mingled, connecting with old friends and meeting new contacts. As the dinner was attended by participants from both Duplex World and Heat Exchanger World, there were lots of introductions to be made. The synergy between these two events was evident throughout the two days.
This is an excerpt of Stainless Steel World World Magazine, December 2022. Read the full article by clicking here.
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