Preliminary Conference Program

Much has been discussed and written concerning Combustible Dust (CD) in our Industry. Indeed, it IS truly “an insidious hazard”. An update of current and future rulemaking will be covered with a refresher stating key elements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) National Emphasis Program (NEP) for Combustible Dust issued in March 2008.. The morning will be spent presenting and discussing how to meet the physical expectations of the current NEP, We will then review the rulemaking process, as it relates to future actions which are not yet pending. The afternoon will include presentations by the Luminant Dust Team, regarding documentation expectations. Each generation plant site prepared and implemented guidelines in support of the corporate program. This session will navigate the process used to compose and implement the guidelines through the use of writing and implementation of production operation procedures, hazard analysis, training and goal setting for future aspects of the NEP or forthcoming standards. This day of training will provide a detailed understanding of compliance, and steps to implement analysis and training Updates on current rulemaking efforts will also be given.
We will cover:

Basis/reasons for preparing a guideline

NEP Expectations

Current Rulemaking Update

Steps Luminant Energy took to prepare and implement guidelines

Basic hazard analysis

Training plans and implementation

Preparation for OSHA visits

$595 Course Fee

Barry Boswell, Director of Generation, Luminant - Martin Lake Plant

Mark Collett, Vice President– Business Development, PLANT PROFESSIONALS, a division of Benetech, Inc.

Rob Holliday, Production Specialist Senior, Luminant

David Snell, Manager – Loss Prevention, Luminant

Josh Rohing, PLANT PROFESSIONALS, a division of Benetech, Inc.

Biomass and waste fuels offer great opportunity for use in power plants. However, their use requires careful selection and fuel preparation so that they do not adversely impact the performance of the furnace or boiler and so that emissions of various pollutants remain unchanged. In this workshop fundamental information on the transformation of biomass and solid waste fuels to clean energy will be covered. Recent advances in biomass gasification technology will be presented. In addition, conversion of wastes and biomass to clean gas and liquid and solid fuels will be addressed with due consideration to economics and plant life. Some showcase examples of demonstration plants will be provided. Lead speakers from academia and industry will cover various aspects of gasification technology, GTL, and solid fuel conversion with special emphasis on environmental footprints and energy savings. Examples provided will cover recent successes with the use of wastes and biomass fuels in power plants.

By attending you will:

Explore ways to use low-grade fuels in boilers or furnaces and save fuel costs, improve energy security, and enhance the reliability and availability of fuels at affordable costs for increased profits. Estimates show that upgrades enabling the use of waste and biomass fuels have a very short payback period.

Learn how to convert low-grade fuels to clean syngas, liquid, or solid fuels that can be used in plants and other applications.

Reduce environmental compliance costs and environmental impact. Learn how to use these low-grade fuels, biomass, and wastes and still make a positive impact on the environment, land, and plant operation. With recent advances it is possible to enhance boiler/furnace life with no fouling and slagging of the furnace/boiler.

Learn how the recent advances have helped promote rapid implementation of the new technologies successfully in many plants worldwide. Example case studies will also be presented.

Meet others who have a common interest in seeking solutions for the cost-effective use of wastes and biomass in plants.

$295 Course Fee

Ashwani Gupta, Professor, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND

Dr. Kunio Yoshikawa, Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Dr. Marco Castaldi, Asst. Professor Department of Earth & Environmental Engineering, Columbia University

Lee Claire, Norbridge Inc.

The emphasis of this workshop is the prevention of fires in coal-handling operations through engineering and administrative controls. It will include the application of technology to detect and suppress fires, passive methods for fire control, proper design of fire protection systems, and performing evaluations of existing systems. Primarily, the presentation will focus on conveyors and structures.
$295 Course Fee

Brian Crain, Sales Representative, Firetrol Protection Systems Inc

Brian Crain, Sales Representative, Firetrol Protection Systems Inc

Mr. Justin L. Clift, Industrial Market Specialist, Hazard Control Technology

Robert Albinger, National Sales Rep., Conspec Controls

Max Mottley, President, AxonX Fike

A workshop intended to highlight the value in preparing and responding to coal-related fires. We will discuss tactics, extinguishing methods, and equipment. Topics will include organizing a fire response team, selection of equipment, and developing fire-fighting tactics for various types of coal-related fires.
$295 Course Fee

Bob Taylor, ES&H, American Electric Power

Mr. Justin L. Clift, Industrial Market Specialist, Hazard Control Technology

Craig Baldwin, Fuel Handling Supervisor, Consumers Energy

Many electric utilities operating pulverized coal boilers are studying, considering, or have plans to co-fire pulverized coal and biomass. “Biomass” selected for co-firing is more often than not some form of wood, ranging from raw wood waste to construction material waste. The motive is to shift some energy production from coal to renewable energy sources in anticipation of more stringent regulation of fuels that emit greenhouse gases—in the case of coal, CO2. This workshop will discuss critical issues related to the co-firing of biomass in existing pulverized coal-fired boilers. This will include a discussion of fuel preparation and handling requirements, combustion and fireside characteristics of selected biomass fuels, and potential impacts on boiler operation and performance. In addition, modifications to a boiler that can improve its ability to co-fire biomass fuels will be discussed.
$295 Course Fee

Randy Rahm, President, CoalTech Consultants

Richard Storm, President, Innovative Combustion Technologies, Inc.

Doug Hart, Manager, Firing Systems, Alstom Power Inc

Bill Stirgwolt, Applications Engineering Manager, Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc.

Plant Management Roundtable
Monday, May 17
Roundtable: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Room: 336, Baltimore Convention Center
Reception: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Camden Room 1, Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel
Complimentary Admission (restricted to Plant Managers and their staff)

The Plant Management Roundtable is designed to be an interactive discussion of issues and concerns common to all types of generating plants, regardless of prime mover or fuel. The format is organized around a group of key issues with a panel of industry experts to facilitate discussion; however, the emphasis will be on the participants’ sharing of methods, concerns, lessons learned, and accomplishments. Topics of discussion will include, but are not limited to:

Managing the Staff – career development, human performance or workforce planning

Managing the Plant – knowledge management or outage planning

External Relations – preparing for an “incident”

Internal Relations – communications with management, organization culture, safety culture or time management

Dave Elkins, Station Manager, East Kentucky Power Cooperative - Spurlock Station

Greg Krieser P.E., Division Manager, Production Operations, Omaha Public Power District

Mark Nagel, PE, Station Director, Midwest Generation EME, LLC

Melanie Green, P.E., Senior Manager, CPS Energy

James Britton, Renewable Energy Division Manager, INGENCO

Jason Makansi, President, Pearl Street Inc.

Dr. Robert Mayfield, Plant Manager, Tenaska Virginia Generating Station

Phillip Webster, Project Manager, Asset Management, Black & Veatch

Greg Long, Director, Global Business Transformation Group, AES

Monday Evening Activities are Included for PRB Delegates
PRB Reception
Monday, May 17
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel
Harborview Ballroom
This hot hors d’oeuvres open bar reception is a great opportunity to meet up with friends and colleagues before the conference starts the next day. Come relax and network with your peers when you arrive to Baltimore!
Attendance is restricted to PRB Delegates for the Reception

Power Plant Awards Banquet
Monday, May 17
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel
Chesapeake Ballroom
After the reception, come join us at the Power Plant Awards Banquet with guest speaker Col. Mark Tillman, Air Force One Pilot (2001-2009). Hear his fascinating story of flying President Bush during 9/11 and be inspired by his “Zero Failure” mantra. The dinner banquet is included for all PRB Delegates at no additional charge
$125 for Non-PRB Delegates