BIOS, ABSTRACTS  – HOT TOPIC HOUR FEBRUARY 26, 2009

Richard McCartney - Roberts and Schaefer

BIO: - Richard McCartney is a Senior Material Handling Engineer with Roberts and Schaefer Company responsible for the development of projects for new and retrofit facilities as well as client interface and proposals.  His forty-year career in bulk material handling includes extensive experience covering all stages of projects, comprising feasibility studies, system development, and specifications through project completion for power clients in the United States and abroad.

ABSTRACT: - Power Plant Fuel Blending with PRB Coal - A major design factor for the coal handling facilities for both the new and older plants is the ability to blend fuels.  Many new power plants are considering blending of coals as an important part of the coal handling system which will allow for present or future needs.  Modification or upgrade of older plants is also on the rise including the increased use of PRB coal.  Modifications are including the need for both coal switching and coal blending.

There are many methods to accomplish coal blending at a power plant. These range from a basic use of the secondary (emergency) stockout/reclaim system to totally automated coal handling facilities with segregated areas for two or more storage piles. 

Kevin Gordon – Thermo Fisher Scientific

BIO: - Kevin Gordon, Applications Engineer, has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology from Bluefield State College. He has 10 years of experience in the coal industry. The latter seven years working with on-line analyzers for Thermo Fisher Scientific.

ABSTRACT: - A leading supplier of online coal analyzers discusses the growing use of analyzers in US power plants.  A majority of these analyzers are used in bunker feed applications, where the characterization of the coal can be critical for emissions compliance and/or boiler optimization.

Craig Vogel – CH2M Hill

BIO: Craig brings a strong background with over 38 years of experience in electrical power generation and fuel supply including considerable involvement with coal fired plants. During his career, Craig has developed expertise in a wide range of energy-related areas including plant design and operation, financial analysis and environmental compliance. B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Norwich University, 1968