PBS Texas: That’s a Wrap

The Powder & Bulk Solids Texas event is in the books! Taking place at the Hilton Houston Post Oak in Houston, TX, from Sept. 10-11, the technical conference saw a range of seasoned professionals and newbies entering the industry.

With 20-plus educational sessions, two panels, exhibitor tabletops, networking events, and more, there was something for everyone. And attendees were able to gain up to 7 Professional Development Hours from select sessions.

The Sessions

There were more than 20 sessions from which to choose, in categories including Dust Control & Safety, Processing & Quality, Wet Processing, Conveying & Feeding, and Bulk Solids Storage and Retrieval Logistics.

The educational sessions ranged from Ethics In Engineering and The Basics of Bulk Solids Conveying & Feeding, to Particle Characterization & Measurement and Critical Tips for Effective Design and Troubleshooting of Bulk Solids Feeders.

Eric Maynard with Jenike & Johanson presented a few times over the 2-day event.

George Rissky, director of Health and Safety, Security, & Environmental at Urban Grid, launched the first general session, Navigating Four Generations in the Workforce: Merging Safety Culture with Social Responsibility. A general safety culture presentation, Rissy discussed the four distinct generations working side by side in today’s world, with each bringing unique values, expectations, and working styles.

This presentation explored the cultural differences among these generations and discussed strategies for harmonizing safety practices with social responsibility in a rapidly changing technological environment.

Presentations by Eric Maynard and Diane Cave stood out, as the fundamentals of both powder and materials handling and the basics of dust collection are topics that everyone must be knowledgeable about in the industry.

Eric Maynard, vice president of Jenike & Johanson Inc., delivered several presentations. One, a basics course, touched on the fundamentals for powder and bulk solids handling reliability.

Maynard emphasized the importance of powder technology, highlighting common flow problems, flow patterns, and the role of flow testing. This foundational knowledge is essential for advancing to more complex topics related to the storage, flow, and processing of #bulksolids. The session was well attended and the audience, mostly new engineers, got a kick out of Maynard’s engaging presentation.

The session The Basics of Dust Collection, presented by Diane Cave, Eastern Lead at Element6 Solutions, covered the equipment necessary for dust collection in many environments. Cave covered the first principles for dust collection system design including essential terminology, components of a dust collection system, and basic design calculations.

If you haven’t participated in one of Cave’s presentations, it is a must-see with stand-out visuals and materials on hand.

The Panels

The first day’s panel, “What I Wish I Knew When I Started in the Processing and Bulk Solids Handling Industry,” included Eric Maynard with Jenike & Johanson, Kevin Jeffries with DEKRA, Jack Osborn with Airdusco Engineering & Design Services, and Thomas Meade from Bulk Material Equipment.

These seasoned men talked about not only what they wish they knew back then but offered up personal stories about how they got where they are today, and who helped them along the way, and offered tips on how to navigate a career in similar fields from just starting out, to becoming an expert.

Panel on "What I Wish I Knew When I Started in the Bulk Solids Industry."

The room was silent — everyone listening to each panelist offering his career story with personal tips thrown in. They also suggested mentorships, and organizations/associations in which to join to help grow in the field.

The Women in Processing Panel took the stage to tackle key issues faced by women in the male-dominated field of processing and bulk handling. Wednesday morning, the panelists covered a wide range of topics, including overcoming challenges in the industry, managing work/life balance, selecting the right mentor, navigating power structures early in their careers versus later in formal leadership roles, their most valuable learning experiences, and advice for aspiring female engineers.

Diane Cave with Element6 Solutions, Karla Sperati with Dow Logistics Technology Center, Carrie Hartford with Jenike & Johanson, and Melissa Lehmann from ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co. drew a huge crowd and answered many questions at the end of the discussion.

These women spoke to a wide audience — women and men — on the nuances of navigating a career in a mostly male-dominated landscape. The room was lively, and the questions posed to the panel were fierce. They covered industry trends like AI, what their biggest challenges have been, how to balance work/life, mentorship, necessary leadership qualities, and barriers, as well as advice for new females climbing the ranks.

The Exhibitors & Sponsors

Exhibitors shared information and showed off tabletops full of material and smaller instruments. Some had interactive games, there were giveaways, and good conversation around products. Demos on video allowed attendees to see equipment at work too.

The exhibitors & sponsors include: Coperion, J-Tec Material Handling, Jenike & Johanson, Minebea Intec, Payper, Dover MEI, Vibra Screw Inc., Merrick, ACFM Inc., Alston Equipment Co. (AEC), CAI Envea Group, Christian Pfeiffer, Custom Powder Systems, Cybernetik, Ebro Armaturen, Erichson Co. Inc., ERIEZ, EurusBlower, FlexSack, Global-Pak, Haver & Boecker, PneuVey Systems, Polimak, Prime Process Safety Center, Saldesia, Severfield, Meyer, BME, CPI Wirecloth & Screens Inc., CV Technology, Everlasting Valve Co., Hapman, IEP Technologies, JVI Vibratory Equipment, Masterduct, NAVCO, Material Transfer, Tenant Specs, and Vortex.

Companies exhibit in the Grand Ballroom at PBS Texas.

More Learning Opps

For further learning, join our webinar tomorrow, Sept. 19 on Metering Options: An Introduction to Bulk Solids Feeding Devices, part of the DryPro webinar series, which will be held from 2 – 3 p.m. EDT. Joe Marinelli, senior consultant at Solids Handling Technologies Inc., will provide an overview of common feeding devices used to meter the flow of bulk solids from a storage vessel. Rotary valves, screw feeders, vibratory feeders, and belt feeders will be covered. The various functions of a feeding device will be discussed and some of the relevant material characteristics for feeder selection and design will be introduced as well.

Also, stay tuned for our International Powder & Bulk Solids Conference and Exhibition (the Powder Show), coming to Rosemont, IL, April 29 – May 1, 2025. You won’t want to miss the #1 processing event in North America.