Workshops
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Time: 1:00-5:00 PM
W-2A: Water Treatment 101 (repeat from Sunday)
Dennis McBride, Burns & McDonnell, Kansas City, MO
Water Treatment 101 This workshop is a great introductory course covering many of the basic concepts of industrial water treatment. It will address unit operations (clarification, filtration, lime/soda ash softening, iron and manganese removal, membrane filters, and roughing demineralizers) used in water preparation for industry with emphasis on power, chemical industry, and refineries. It includes treatment of cooling water systems as well as boiler water makeup. Wastewater generated by these unit operations and their treatment and disposal will be discussed. Basic water chemistry requirements for low, medium, and high pressure boilers will also be discussed.
W-15: Hands-On RO Membrane Autopsy Workshop & Lab Tour
Taylor Cowan, American Water Chemicals, Plant City, FL
Membrane autopsies can identify specific foulants on a membrane surface and can determine the presence of chemical or mechanical damage that occurred during operation. During this hands-on session, attendees will tour the American Water Chemicals (AWC®) state-of-the-art lab and learn practical membrane autopsy and troubleshooting techniques for water and wastewater applications.
The lab experience includes an overview of autopsy procedures, including performance and integrity testing, visual inspection of membranes, foulant collection, and chemical solubility tests. Advanced analysis techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Zeta Potential, contact angle, flat-sheet cell, and dye testing will also be performed to assess membrane performance, cleaning effectiveness and improve membrane treatment outcomes.
Attendees will leave with knowledge and hands-on experience needed to diagnose membrane failure mechanisms, improve cleaning protocols, and enhance system performance in real-world applications.