Roster of Technical Posters
2026 IEEE-IAS/ACA Cement Conference – Fort Lauderdale
TP1
Optimizing Tertiary Air Flow Control for Production Increase & Energy Consumption Reduction
Presenter: Alexandra Graf, Global Applications Technology Manager, PROMECON process measurement control GmbH
Alternate: Xavier d’Hubert
Description: Accurate tertiary air flow measurement enables stable kiln operation, reduced ID fan power, optimized oxygen supply, and lower NOₓ formation. PROMECON’s non-contact infrared cross-correlation technology delivers reliable, drift-free data under extreme conditions, transforming an unmeasured variable into a lever for energy savings, emissions reduction, and long-term process stability.
TP3
Cement Composites with Natural Zeolite and Hydrated Lime for Superior Compressive Strength and Durability
Presenters: Brandon Lou and Marcus Uhm
Description: Natural clinoptilolite zeolite and hydrated lime are used as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to enhance strength, durability, and carbon sequestration. Zeolite contributes pozzolanic reactivity, while hydrated lime promotes further reactions and pore refinement through carbonation, supporting lower-carbon, high-performance cementitious systems.
TP4
Mitigating Extreme Abrasion in Petroleum Coke Pneumatic Transfer Systems
Author/Presenter: Matthew A. DelPizzo, Vice President, Delta Ducon, LLC
Description: A Southeast cement producer resolved severe abrasion issues in pet coke handling by replacing ceramic linings with PERMA/flo® solid-cast alloy components. The upgrade extended equipment life from approximately 30 days to more than one year, reduced material loss, and aligned maintenance with planned outages.
TP5
Using LiDAR for Intelligent Maintenance Inspections of Refractory and Liners
Presenters: Walt Weninegar, Jeremy Wilson, and David Shelstad
Description: Millimeter-accurate LiDAR inspections via 4D-NA Cloud enable data-driven maintenance by:
- Inspecting kilns and cyclones without scaffolding
- Identifying refractory and liner wear
- Enabling cloud-based collaboration
- Reducing unplanned repairs
- Detecting buildup sources
- Lowering refractory cost per ton of cement produced
TP6
Improving Ball Mill Reliability in Contaminated Environments Using Advanced Bearing Materials
Author/Presenter: Lizardo De Las Casas | Jose Semper, NSK Global
Description: Advanced bearing materials, combined with improved installation and maintenance practices, more than doubled bearing life in harsh, contaminated environments. This case study demonstrates how metallurgical innovation and contamination control significantly improve reliability, uptime, and equipment longevity.
TP7
Transforming Environmental Challenges into Opportunities: An RDF Drying Project for Integrated Decarbonisation
Author/Presenter: Yves Marc Schade, Stela Drying Technology Corp.
Description: This poster presents the retrofit of a conventional cement plant with an integrated ORC system to address fuel quality control and variable fuel supply. It highlights reduced dependence on auxiliary fossil fuels through RDF as the primary energy source, demonstrating economic and environmental benefits and a scalable pathway for sector-wide decarbonization.
TP8
Laser-Applied Tungsten Carbide: A High-Performance Wear Solution for Cement Plants
Presenter: Natalia Fulton, Technogenia Lasercarb Oklahoma Inc.
Authors: Natalia Fulton and Jean-Baptiste Crepin
Description: Laser-applied tungsten carbide provides superior wear protection compared to traditional coatings. CNC-controlled laser cladding achieves a true metallurgical bond, minimal dilution, low heat-affected zones, and dense, low-porosity deposits, maximizing service life in demanding cement plant applications.
TP9
Next-Generation Automation in Cement Plants: From Smart Instrumentation to AI
Presenter: John Glenski, Salas O'Brien
Co-Author: Ketul Shah
Description: This technical poster explores emerging automation technologies, including PODL-enabled smart instrumentation, simplified data connectivity, AI-based predictive maintenance, real-time process optimization, advanced analytics, and new AI programming tools that support more efficient deployment and faster operational decision-making.
TP10
Increasing Production Rate and Secondary Fuel Burning by CFD Engineering of a Calciner
Presenter: Matthias Schumacher, Aix Process GmbH
Description: Advanced multiphase CFD engineering enabled a cement plant to achieve 100% alternative fuel firing, eliminate operational bottlenecks, stabilize calciner performance, reduce CO emissions, and increase clinker production by more than 200 t/day, delivering significant gains with moderate capital investment.
TP11
CFD-Optimized Cyclone and Calciner Design for Alternative Fuel Use and CO₂ Reduction
Presenter: Ugras Akay, CEO, DAL Engineering Group
Description: This poster introduces a self-automated CFD optimization methodology using OpenFOAM to enhance combustion efficiency and cyclone separation performance. The approach reduces fossil fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions while delivering cost-effective, AI-driven process improvements for cement production.