Monday, November 9, 2026
Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 – 11:00 AM
M1: Advances in Boiler Water Chemistry
IWC Rep: Colleen Scholl, HDR, Inc., Whitewater, WI
Session Chair: Donna Murphy, DuPont, Wilmington, DE
Discussion Leader: Utsav Shashvatt, Xylem, Houston, TX
This session brings together three papers focused on improving reliability and chemistry control in steam and power generation systems. Collectively, they examine key mechanisms that influence corrosion, contamination monitoring, and deposit management in boiler feedwater circuits. Topics include the evaluation of polymer dispersants and filming amines at the onset of iron nanoparticle formation, operational and design factors affecting oxygen removal in boiler feedwater systems supplying economizers, and a comparative assessment of degassing technologies for accurate degassed cation conductivity measurement in combined-cycle power plants. These papers highlight practical and analytical approaches for reducing corrosion risk, improving monitoring accuracy, and supporting more effective water treatment strategies.
M2: Turn that brine upside down!
IWC Rep: Lyndsey Pence, ZwitterCo, Inc., Los Osos, CA
Session Chair: Phil Benson, Geosyntec, Washington, DC
Discussion Leader: Vijay Ahire, IDE Technologies, Carlsbad, CA
Join us for the IWC’s first ever full session on brine valorization. This session focuses on turning previously unwanted brine streams into valuable resources. With an overview paper on the state of the technology and two more papers on lithium and critical mineral recovery, this session will provide the audience a better understanding of the emerging topic of brine valorization. Learn how to turn that frown upside down and create a valuable resource from brine!
M3: Industrial Water Reuse: The Ripple Effect
IWC Rep: Elke Peirtsegaele, Toray Membranes, Poway, CA
Session Chair: Swamy Margan, Haliburton,
Discussion Leader: Nik Mehta, American Water Chemicals, Los Angeles, CA
The session, “Industrial Water Reuse: The Ripple Effect,” addresses advanced developments in industrial closed-loop water systems, emphasizing performance under extreme operating conditions and chemically complex matrices. The three selected papers extend established technologies—such as membrane processes and photovoltaic integration—to demonstrate practical, scalable approaches for water reuse and conservation.
Collectively, these studies highlight key considerations in system design, process integration, and performance optimization, bridging current practices with next-generation solutions. Attendees will gain actionable insights into the development of resilient, high efficiency industrial water systems, supporting sustainable operations and water stewardship in demanding industrial environments.
M4: The Quest for Ultrapure Water in a Dirty World
IWC Rep: Dennis McBride, Burns & McDonnell, Kansas City, MO
Session Chair: Mike Preston, Kiewit, Lenexa, KS
Discussion Leader: Larry Gottlieb, Resintech, Inc., Camden, NJ
Making ultrapure water is challenging. Maintaining ultrapure water in a demanding process environment is also challenging. Evolving technology options and combination of technologies to make and maintain ultrapure water are more in focus in the United States with the recent trend to on-shore manufacturing that requires this water purity and to power these facilities. Our session includes studies of various technology approaches using membranes, ion exchange resin, and disinfection techniques in unique process settings. Our authors provide views from semiconductor fabrication applications to nuclear power production with many of the principles discussed applicable to other industries. Join us for a deeper look into the world of ultrapure water.