2022 Young & Emerging Professionals Summit
June 21 – July 21, 2022
Tuesdays & Thursdays | 11:30 AM (Eastern)
8-part Webinar Series
Registration Fee: $15 per session, or $50 for all sessions using bundle code 22YPS50
Open to CGA and GAWDA members (details below)
The Compressed Gas Association (CGA) and the Gases and Welding Distributors Association (GAWDA) are excited to announce the return of the Young & Emerging Professionals Summit for the third consecutive year. Since the first Summit in 2020, more than 3,000 attendees have joined us from around the world. This event offers a unique forum to learn from subject matter experts, deepen your understanding of the industry, and review lessons learned that have driven changes to best practices.
Join us in 2022 as we follow the molecule from air gas production to end use. This year’s 8-webinar series will include a mix of overviews, technical deep dives, and panel discussions. The Summit is open to CGA Members and GAWDA Distributor Members who are participating in the CGA Publication Subscription Program. Attendees at all levels of industry experience are welcome!
When purchasing four (4) or more sessions, please enter discount code 22YPS50 on the payment page to receive a “YPS Bundle” discount rate of $50.
Registration will close 48 hours prior to the start of each session. You may register for a single webinar in the series, or as many as all 8! Some sessions may not be recorded, so be sure to mark your calendar to attend the event sessions live.
Session 1 | Jun 21: Air Separation Overview & New Technologies
Tuesday, June 21 | 11:30AM – 1:30PM (Eastern)
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Presentation: Air Separation Overview
Anu George
Plant Engineer | Air Separation Unit
American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc.
This presentation will provide a high-level overview of atmospheric gas production and related equipment for the five main stages of air separation: ambient air filtration, compression, purification, cooling, and distillation. Attendees will also learn about common hazards present at an ASU and the mitigation methods used to address them. Additionally, the presenter will share their experience related to the commissioning and startup of a new ASU facility.
Panel Discussion: Integrating AI & Smart Technology in ASU Processes
Sam Agle
Vice President of Production – US & Canada
Messer Americas
Manolis Koutsourelakis
Head of Productivity, Region Europe East & Operations Managers, Greece & Cyprus
Linde Hellas
Patrick Meyer
Manager, Real Time Operations
American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc.
Session 2 | Jun 23: BAHX Overview & Argon System Case Study
Thursday, June 23 | 11:30AM – 1:00 PM (Eastern)
Presentation: Brazed Aluminum Heat Exchangers
Mehraud Razzaghi
Sales Application Engineer
Chart Industries, Inc.
This presentation will provide an overview of brazed aluminum heat exchangers (BAHXs) used in high-pressure oxygen processes. Participants will learn about related hazards, design considerations, and lessons learned from the production and operation of BAHXs for air separation plants.
Case Study: Argon System Troubleshooting – A Discussion on Troubleshooting Processes and Lessons Learned
Kate O’Handly
Engineer, Bulk Reliability
Matheson
This presentation will provide a review of the troubleshooting process used to diagnose issues with the argon systems at two separate facilities. Participants will learn about the development of initial theories, testing, and analysis processes used to troubleshoot these issues and identify corrective actions.
Session 3 | Jun 28: ASU Compression Systems & LOX/GOX Valves
Tuesday, June 28 | 11:30AM – 1:00 PM (Eastern)
Presentation: ASU Compression Systems
Cherri Scholz
LASU/VLASU Product Line Machinery SPOC
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.
This presentation will provide an overview of internal and external compression systems, including a description of compressor types, physical concepts, characteristics, and applications. The session will also address compressor surge control, common issues and troubleshooting, vibration monitoring, and maintenance best practices.
Presentation: Valves Used in Liquid Oxygen and Cold Gaseous Oxygen Systems
Sebastian Joswig
Chairman of LE Oxygen Steering Group
Linde Engineering
This presentation will provide a brief overview of the incidents that led to the development of CGA G-4.14, followed by a discussion of the topics contained within CGA G-4.14, including isolation valves, control valves, check valves, pressure relief valves, drain, and vent valves in air separation units (ASUs), their backup and storage piping system, and customer station bulk storage tank systems. It addresses the design, material selection, manufacturing, cleaning, installation, operation, and maintenance of oxygen service valves operating at temperatures below –30 °C.
Session 4 | Jun 30: Prevention of Brittle Fracture & ASU Lessons Learned
Thursday, June 30 | 11:30AM – 1:00PM (Eastern)
Presentation: Prevention of Brittle Fracture of Equipment & Piping
Adam Renaldo
Senior Mechanical Engineer
Linde PLC
This presentation will identify the hazards associated with cryogenic liquid vaporization systems and recommend safe practices for preventing brittle fracture in piping and associated equipment. The presentation will also cover lessons learned from previous incidents.
Case Study: Recent Air Separation Facility Incidents & Lessons Learned
John Bernard
Consultant
Compressed Gas Association, Inc.
This presentation will provide an overview of the 2019 Yima City Gasification Plant Incident and the 2021 Wanteng Steel Flat Bottom Tank Failure that were reviewed by CGA and EIGA joint task force members. The presentation will include a summary of observations, learnings, and implications for industry practices from each incident.
Session Break
There will be no sessions on July 5 or July 7 – we’ll see you again on July 12!
Session 5 | Jul 12: Industrial and Medical Gases & Lessons Learned from COVID-19
Tuesday, July 12 | 11:30AM – 1:00PM (Eastern)
Presentation: Industrial and Medical Gases – Similarities, Differences, and Unique Considerations
John Willenbrock
Technical Manager
Compressed Gas Association, Inc.
This presentation will provide an overview of the similarities and differences between industrial and medical gas filling and distribution and the impact of FDA and state regulations on those operations. The presenter will briefly discuss the differences in bulk operations, primarily the requirements for validation, and the more extensive differences and uniqueness in packaged gas operations, such as labeling and good manufacturing practices, especially as it relates to training, testing, and documentation.
Panel Discussion: COVID-19 Lessons Learned
Heather Albright
Quality Assurance Supervisor
Linde PLC
Dan Morgan
Director, Food & Beverage Segment
Messer North America, Inc.
Will Roberts
President
Roberts Oxygen Company, Inc.
John Willenbrock
Technical Manager
Compressed Gas Association, Inc.
Session 6 | Jul 14: Cylinder Fill Plants & Prefill Inspections
Thursday, July 14 | 11:30AM – 1:00PM (Eastern)
Presentation: Cylinder Fill Plants – Manual vs. Automated, Linear vs. Palletized
Kevin Klotz
Field Technician & Customer Support Specialist
Weldcoa
In this presentation we will dive into understanding differences in operating procedures as it pertains to manual and automated systems, as well as taking some time to understand the benefits and drawbacks to both a linear style fill manifold as well as a palletized filling manifold.
Presentation: Cylinder Prefill Inspections & Why Shortcuts Don’t Work
Patrick Galphin
Director, Facilities and Project Management
nexAir LLC
This presentation will provide an overview of cylinder prefill inspection requirements including preparation of cylinders for inspection, exterior inspection, interior inspection (if required), what kind of damage to look for, and tests to be performed. The presentation will also discuss potential outcomes that can occur if damaged cylinders are returned to service.
Session 7 | Jul 19: Transportation Emergencies & Combating the Driver Shortage
Tuesday, July 19 | 11:30AM – 1:00PM (Eastern)
Presentation: Transportation Emergency Response
Bill Erny
Director
CHEMTREC
This presentation will provide an introduction to CHEMTREC and hazmat emergency response. CHEMTREC operates a 24/7/365 emergency call center that provides incident response information to first responders during a hazmat incident.
Panel Discussion: Combating the CDL Driver Shortage – A Discussion on Recruitment, Safety Culture, and Advanced Technologies
John Anderson
Director of DOT Compliance
Airgas, an Air Liquide company
Dave Mason
Vice President, Operations
Roberts Oxygen Company, Inc.
Steve Thompson
Director of Transportation
Western International Gas & Cylinders, Inc.
Session 8 | Jul 21: Emerging Applications & Industry Stewardship
Thursday, July 21 | 11:30AM – 1:30PM (Eastern)
Case Studies & Panel Discussion: Emerging Customer Applications & Our Role as Industry Stewards
Kevin Falconer
President
Minneapolis Oxygen Company
Colleen Kohler
Chief Executive Officer
Noble Gas Solutions
Melissa Heard
Director of Marketing
Weldcoa
This session will feature a panel discussion unique customer application and the unique considerations for safe use of industry products and equipment in those applications. Panel members will also discuss the industry’s role in good product stewardship and how that impacts our role in customer education.
The Role of Young & Emerging Professionals in the Future of Our Industry
Bob Ewing
President, Red Ball Oxygen
President, Gases & Welding Distributors Association
Francesco Maione
President Americas, Air Products & Chemicals Inc.
Chairman, Compressed Gas Association
Closing Remarks
Thank You to Our Founding Sponsor!
Thank you to Weldcoa for sponsoring the Young & Emerging Professionals Summit since it began in 2020. We appreciate your continued support of this event and our industry’s next generation!
For more information on the Young & Emerging Professionals Summit, contact CGA Committee Project Manager Tom Deary by completing the form below and clicking “Submit.” All required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).
