Schedule
4–6 March 2025 • Embassy Suites Centennial Park • Atlanta, GA, USA
Monday, 3 March 2025 | |
| 4–6 p.m. | Registration |
Tuesday, 4 March 2025 | |
| 7 a.m. | Registration and Breakfast |
| 8 a.m. | Combustion and Burner Fundamentals – Part 1 Wenting Sun, Georgia Institute of Technology This presentation covers combustion fundamentals relevant to the steel industry. Topics include combustion chemistry, flame stabilization mechanisms, autoignition, radiation and blow-off limits. |
| 9 a.m. | Break |
| 9:15 a.m. | Combustion and Burner Fundamentals – Part 2 Benjamin Emerson, Georgia Institute of Technology This presentation will provide an overview of combustion and burner fundamentals. Attendees will gain an understanding of pollutant emissions formation, operability constraints and best practices. |
| 10:15 a.m. | Leveraging Data and Technology to Advance Combustion David Kober, Global Gauge Corp. This session explores the fundamental principles of data collection and analytics within combustion systems. Attendees will gain an understanding of key concepts such as accuracy, repeatability and data integrity, as well as the challenges of measuring at the fringes of instrument ranges. The session also covers the impact of data sampling frequency on system performance and introduces essential data analytics metrics such as maximum, minimum, average and rolling average. Through practical examples and case studies, participants will learn how to apply these principles to optimize combustion efficiency, safety and performance. |
| 11 a.m. | Foundational Combustion Control and Advances in Optimization Bill Poe, Schneider Electric This session will extend basic combustion and temperature fundamentals and review control theory to discuss the following: • Combustion and temperature control opportunities in the steel industry. • Combustion and temperature control challenges. • Closed-loop real-time optimization technology. • Closed-loop real-time optimization success stories. |
| 11:45 a.m. | Lunch |
| 12:45 p.m. | Combustion Sensors, Diagnostics and Innovative Technologies Shawn Wehe, Georgia Institute of Technology This talk will focus on the use of nonintrusive diagnostics applicable to the harsh environments associated with the production of metals. The range of diagnostics includes laboratory-tested strategies to field-deployed sensors in the steel industry. |
| 1:30 p.m. | Thermal Camera Use for Steel Production Efficiency and Integrity Paul Czerepuszko, Optris IR Sensing LLC Discussion on the use of thermal imaging for various applications in steel production. |
| 2:15 p.m. | Data and Analytic Application of Thermal Imaging for Leak Detection and Other Uses Dante Vaccaro, Schneider Electric This presentation explores the application of thermal cameras and computer vision technology for optimizing combustion processes, highlighting their potential to enhance efficiency, safety and cost savings. Key points include:
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| 3 p.m. | Break |
| 3:15 p.m. | Navigating the Evolution of Codes and Standards in Steel Thermal Processing Equipment Related to Fuels and Combustion Systems — Part 1 John Puskar, President Technical Services This presentation explores the essential role of regulatory codes and standards in ensuring safety and operational reliability. It begins with an introduction to the purpose, creation and key organizations behind these standards. Attendees will gain insight into the most critical standards they need to understand and follow. The session emphasizes the importance of compliance not only for safety and operational efficiency but also for legal protection, particularly in the event of litigation, where failure to adhere to standards can lead to significant liability. Key focus areas include subgroupings for fired equipment and thermal systems: fuel systems, boilers, and other thermal systems such as ovens and furnaces. Real-world examples will illustrate how these standards prevent hazards, minimize risks and protect lives. Attendees will leave with practical knowledge and tools to confidently navigate the evolving landscape of codes and standards in their operations. |
| 4 p.m. | Advanced Analytics, Predictive Tools and Strategic Integration for Optimized Operations Michael-Paul Jenkins, Gecko Robotics Data collection is just the first step in unlocking the full potential of your operations. Now that you've gathered valuable data, the real challenge lies in transforming it into actionable insights that drive efficiency, optimize costs, and enhance decision-making. This presentation will explore how to leverage the data collected using advanced analytics, predictive tools and strategic integration with enterprise software. Learn how to turn raw data into a powerful asset for improving an organization’s financial, operational and maintenance outcomes. |
| 4:45 p.m. | Day 1 Wrap-Up/Questions |
| 5–6 p.m. | Reception |
Wednesday, 5 March 2025 | |
| 7 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8 a.m. | A Complete Overview of Fuel Technologies Mark Hannum, Fives North American Combustion Inc. A comparison focused on different gaseous fuels that are used in industrial combustion applications. This will include discussion related to fuel switching. |
| 8:45 a.m. | The How-To’s of Hydrogen Production, Handling and Storage Anup Sane, Air Products and Chemicals Inc. This presentation talks about low CI hydrogen production, transport and storage for the steel industry. |
| 9:30 a.m. | Radiant Tube Burners Technologies and Enhancements Steven Mickey, WS Thermal Process Technology Inc. This presentation will cover various burner and radiant tube types, comparing standard and modern technologies. It will discuss the different methods of preheating combustion air to increase efficiency. It will also highlight various methods of reducing NOx emissions. In addition, it will address the topic of transitioning to green fuels such as hydrogen to reduce or eliminate CO2 emissions. Finally, it will provide an economic analysis comparing the different technologies. |
| 10:15 a.m. | Break |
| 10:30 a.m. | Using Analytics to Maintain Furnace Efficiency and Emissions Performance Roy W. Hardy, PSNERGY LLC Gas-fired industrial furnaces are inherently inefficient and degrade over time due to high operating temperatures. Monitoring combustion air/fuel ratio continuously provides actionable data that enables maintenance personnel to optimize furnace performance. |
| 11:15 a.m. | Advanced in Predictive Modeling for Optimized Emissions Control |
| Noon | Lunch |
| 1 p.m. | Navigating the Evolution of Codes and Standards in Steel Thermal Processing Equipment Related to Fuels and Combustion Systems — Part 2 John Puskar, Prescient Technical Services |
| 1:45 p.m. | Real-Time AI Analysis and Opportunities in Combustion and Thermal Systems Suhas Mehta, Falkonry Inc. This presentation explores the foundations of continuous AI-driven monitoring of time-series data from thermal and combustion systems. It highlights the key features essential for the large-scale adoption of AI in the daily practices of operations teams. Through practical examples and case studies, attendees will discover methods for early detection of inefficiencies, optimizing energy consumption, and enhancing system availability and reliability. Additionally, strategies for integrating data intelligence into physical workflows to drive business outcomes will be discussed. |
| 2:30 p.m. | Use of Data Verified Visualization Tools for System Troubleshooting and Optimization Chenn Zhou, Purdue University Northwest Advanced computer simulation and visualization technologies are increasingly playing a key role for system troubleshooting and optimization in steel manufacturing. These technologies can provide coherent understandings of complex phenomena and processes, and enable faster and better decision-making for process design, optimization, troubleshooting, scale-up and training. The Steel Manufacturing Simulation and Visualization Consortium (SMSVC) has been formed with the mission to develop and implement innovative technical solutions, through the integration of advanced computer simulation and visualization technologies. To-date research outcomes include improved energy efficiencies, productivity and product quality, as well as reduced CO2 and other emissions, time and cost. This presentation will include an overview of the SMSVC projects, simulation and visualization technologies and methodologies, as well as high-impact project examples in various ironmaking and steelmaking processes. |
| 3:15 p.m. | Break |
| 3:30 p.m. | Case Studies in Troubleshooting Combustion and Thermal System Issues Kurt Johnson, Cleveland-Cliffs Burns Harbor Power Station Pragmatic troubleshooting exercises linked to previous topics which are used to highlight the practical use of training information in real-world examples. |
| 4:30 p.m. | Day 2 Wrap-Up/Questions and Briefing on Tour |
Thursday, 6 March 2025 | |
| 7 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8 a.m. | Plant Tour of Georgia Institute of Technology Combustion Lab |
| Noon | Return From Plant Tour and Conference Adjourn |