Agenda
August 18, 1–4:30 p.m. ET
Moderated by Mike Kesler, ORNL
1–1:20 p.m. — Welcome and introductions, Bill Peter and Kashif Nawaz, ORNL
1:20–1:50 — Gary Berwick, Industrial Heating Equipment Association
1:50–2:20 p.m. — Clay Hoover, Tennessee Valley Authority
2:20–2:30 p.m. — Break
2:30–3 p.m. — Jai Sekhar, MHI Inc.
3–3:30 p.m. — Girish Dahake, Ambrell Corporation
3:30–4:30 p.m. — Audience discussion, moderated by Soumya Nag, ORNL
4:30 p.m. — Adjourn
August 19, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. ET
Moderated by Jianlin Li, Argonne
9–9:15 a.m.— Welcome and overview, Scott Bishop and Baskar Vairamohan, EPRI
9:15–9:45 a.m. — Brian Gbur, Ajax TOCCO Magnethermic
9:45–10:15 a.m. — Mike Stowe, Advanced Energy Corporation
10:15–10:30 a.m. — Break
10:30–11 a.m. — Toby Strite, PG Photonics
11–11:30 a.m. — Bob Hubbard, Lambda Technologies
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — Audience discussion, moderated by Soumya Nag, ORNL
12:30 p.m. — Adjourn
Background
Most manufacturers in the United States rely on traditional combustion-based heating systems—such as gas-fired furnaces, kilns, and boilers—that are deeply entrenched in industrial infrastructure. While these systems have delivered reliable performance for decades, they are often limited by low thermal efficiency, slow response times, and limited controllability.
As manufacturing sectors face growing pressure to improve operational flexibility, energy intensity, and process consistency, the limitations of legacy heating systems become increasingly pronounced.
Industries are seeking advanced heating solutions that deliver greater precision, faster response, modular deployment, and easier integration with sensors and automation. Such development is focused on achieving process control, higher reliability, and improved product quality. Electro-heating technologies—including resistive, infrared, microwave, induction, and photonic systems—offer promising alternatives that address these needs. However, widespread adoption remains hindered by challenges such as unclear process economics, limited familiarity, and a lack of accessible validation platforms.
By fostering cross-sector engagement and showcasing real-world pathways to modernization, this webinar will help industry stakeholders and end users navigate the transition to more efficient, responsive, and digitally compatible process heating solutions.
|
