B&W Skillmaster Series

 

 

Electrostatic Precipitator 

June 1-4, 2026 | Houston, TX | CEUs offered
Registration now open! Early bird discount ends on April 24th!

Electrostatic Precipitator Seminar

June 1-4, 2026 | Houston, TX | CEUs offered

This seminar educates participants on why precipitators operate and behave unpredictably at times and how to effectively troubleshoot them.

During the seminar, attendees will explore the various factors that influence electrostatic precipitator (ESP) performance and the fundamental rules that every ESP operator should follow. Participants will learn methods to improve the performance of their precipitators to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Attendees are encouraged to bring their questions and engage in open discussions.

This seminar’s sessions will provide you with extensive information on improving operation of ESPs and controls, regardless of OEM. 

Who Should Attend?

  • Wet and Dry ESP Users
  • Plant Managers
  • Power and Recovery Managers and Staff
  • Plant Engineers
  • Electrical Engineers
  • Performance Engineers
  • Maintenance Personnel
  • Electricians
  • I&E Technicians
  • Consultants
  • Purchasing Personnel
  • Professionals seeking CEUs

Seminar Topics

The seminar will cover topics relevant to all ESP and WESP users. This includes Power Boiler ESPs, Recovery Boiler ESPs, and Kiln ESPs.

  • Identifying why power levels are lowest in the inlet field yet collect the most dust - while the outlet field functions in the opposite manner
  • How to read AVC meters to identify problems
  • How resistivity of the dust affects ESP performance and its possible causes
  • Explaining advantages and disadvantages of single phase, three phase, and switch mode power supplies
  • How to easily write a comprehensive rapper program
  • How to program the AVC for most applications
  • How to safely inspect the ESP, what to look for, and assess what is not acceptable
  • Simple rules: Is the problem in the ESP or with the process?

Agenda

Welcome Reception
Monday, June 1, 2026
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM (CST)

Training and Networking
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
8:30 AM to 4:00 PM: Training
5:00 to 8:00 PM: Offsite Networking Dinner

Wednesday, June 3, 2026
8:30 AM to 4:00 PM: Training
Evening: Dinner on Your Own

Thursday, June 4, 2026
8:30 AM to 12:30 PM: Training
12:30 PM: Seminar Adjourns

Agenda is subject to change.

Register for a chance to win a FREE condition assessment of your ESP!

No additional purchase is necessary to enter or win.

The prize includes a visual inspection of your electrostatic precipitator and report identifying deficiencies and recommendations for improvement.

View Prize Drawing Official Rules and B&W's Privacy Policy.

External aerial view of dry electrostatic precipitator with catwalks and caged stairs

Previous Attendee Testimonies

Registration and Accommodations

Location & Tuition

The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
1601 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, Texas, USA, 77380


Early Bird Registration: $1,850 (ends April 24, 2026)
Full Rate: $1,995 (effective April 25, 2026)

The preferred method of payment is credit card. If your organization requires payment to be made by purchase order, please submit an inquiry to initiate the process.

Tuition includes:

  • Technical information from industry experts designed to enhance job performance
  • Printed binder containing technical presentations
  • Meals (breakfast, lunch, snacks and offsite dinner)
  • A digital copy of Steam/its generation and use ($120 value)
  • Access to technical experts for any post-event questions and ESP insights
  • Continuing Education Units (CEUs) - if opting to receive this benefit
  • Course certificate

Hotel room and travel costs are not included in the registration fee. Each attendee is responsible for making their own hotel accommodations.

Register Now

Hotel Accommodations

The Woodlands Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
1601 Lake Robbins Drive,
The Woodlands, Texas, USA, 77380


Block Rate: $229/night plus fees and taxes
Block Rate Ends: May 8, 2026
Block Code: Babcock & Wilcox ESP Seminar
Complimentary self-parking at Town Center Garage (attached to hotel)

Reserve a room.

Speakers

Royce Warnick

Royce Warnick

Since 1977, Royce Warnick has been dedicated to meeting the environmental needs of power and industrial clients.

His career commenced at Virginia Power, where he assumed responsibility for the operational and maintenance aspects of ESPs at a flagship power plant for over 12 years. Subsequently, Royce held various positions encompassing sales, technical expertise, and management roles at Epscon-FLS and Stock Equipment Co. Most recently, he served as the Director of Aftermarket Services at Hamon Research-Cottrell, overseeing field service operations, parts management, and engineering enhancements for ESPs and fabric filters throughout North America.

In his current role as Service Manager – Environmental for the ESP Parts & Services group at B&W, Royce helps customers evaluate ESP performance and collaborates on project strategies for existing and new ESPs.

John Knapik

Mr. Knapik held the role of Applications Engineer specializing in ESPs at B&W for an impressive 42 years before his retirement in 2022. His extensive knowledge and experience in this field have made him a sought-after speaker at numerous prominent conferences, including the Western Canada BLRBAC Conference, Eastern Canada BLRBAC Conference, MEGA Symposium, Energy, Utility, Environment Conference (EUEC), PRB Coal Users Group, Catalytic Cracker Conference, Western Regional Boiler Association, American Forest & Paper Association Conference, and the International Conference on ESPs. Additionally, he has presented at the Reinhold ESP Users group on seven occasions. Mr. Knapik's expertise extends to the publication of technical papers on electrostatic precipitators, with two of them featured in "Power Magazine."

Beyond his speaking engagements and publications, he has provided valuable consulting services on precipitator performance and operations to a wide range of industries, including Electric Utility, Paper, Refining, Cement, and Mining. Mr. Knapik is renowned for his ability to decipher ESP performance through meticulous analysis of automatic voltage control data. He excels at simplifying complex concepts in laymen’s language and offering clear explanations of what is happening and why. Over the last 30 years, he has conducted numerous ESP training courses for various industries.

Tony Silva

With 36 years at Babcock & Wilcox, Tony Silva is an expert Technical Consultant specializing in Environmental Process & Controls. He is a Subject Matter Expert in Wet Electrostatic Precipitators (Wet ESPs) as well as Wet Flue Gas Desulfurization, Fabric Filters, and Dry Sorbent Injection for acid gas controls. Tony holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from The University of Toledo and provides deep technical guidance across multiple emissions‑control technologies. His extensive experience helps customers develop effective, reliable and sustainable solutions tailored to their environmental compliance needs.

Donovan Fitzgerald

In 1999, Donovan Fitzgerald received an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force, having completed extensive technical training in electronics, navigational avionics, communication avionics, and wartime radar receiving & jamming operations. Over the course of 23 years, he acquired expertise in retrofitting, installing, operating, and resolving issues with electrostatic precipitator control systems. Donovan’s dedication to his craft has enabled him to travel the world servicing our customers' pollution control equipment needs.

Paul Griffin - ESP Seminar Speaker - Babcock & Wilcox

Paul Griffin

Paul Griffin currently serves as a B&W Remote Support Engineer as part of B&W’s ESP team in Newport News, Virginia. He brings over 30 years of experience supporting both the Manufacturing and Software Engineering departments. He works closely with customers as a technical resource in advanced software and hardware troubleshooting, system configurations, and distributed control system (DCS) integrations.

FAQs

Meet and Greet (Monday evening)

The event kicks off with a relaxed, networking reception hosted by Babcock & Wilcox from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Montgomery Foyer at the The Woodlands Marriott Hotel & Convention Center. Enjoy food, beverages, and the chance to meet fellow attendees.

Training Sessions (Tuesday to Thursday)

Training begins at 8:30 AM on Tuesday and wraps up at 12:30 PM on Thursday—packed with valuable insights, in-depth technical sessions from industry experts, interactive discussions, and practical solutions to the challenges attendees are facing in their own facilities. It's the perfect opportunity to learn, collaborate, and tackle real-world issues with fellow professionals.

Meals

We understand staying focused can be a challenge on an empty stomach, so we've made sure to keep attendees fueled with a variety of great options throughout the seminar. Here’s what’s included:

  • Breakfast: Start your day right with breakfast served daily from 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM in the Montgomery Foyer at The Woodlands Marriott Hotel & Convention Center. 
  • Lunch and Snacks: Sessions will break throughout the day with lunch served in the Montgomery Foyer. Snacks and refreshments will be available in the training room.
  • Dinner and Networking: Plan to join B&W and fellow industry peers at a networking dinner on Tuesday, conveniently located within walking distance. On Wednesday evening, guests will have time to explore The Woodlands independently, as dinner will be on their own.

Travel & Accommodations

Attendees are responsible for arranging and covering their own travel and hotel accommodations. Please note that The Woodlands Marriott Hotel & Convention Center does not provide shuttle service to or from the Houston airports. The venue is located approximately 20–30 minutes from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Complimentary self‑parking is available for guests booked under the block rate at the Town Center Garage (Six Pines Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380).

A discounted early‑bird rate of $1,850 is available through April 24, 2026. Beginning April 25, 2026, the registration rate increases to $1,995. Attendees are encouraged to register by the March 31 deadline to secure the reduced rate.

The preferred payment method is credit card. If your organization requires payment by purchase order, please submit an inquiry to initiate the process.

Credit card payments are processed securely through Truist (Authorize.net), a verified third‑party provider. An automated receipt will be sent via email upon completion of the registration form.

  • Technical information and insights from industry experts designed to enhance job performance
  • Printed binder containing technical presentations
  • Meals (breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner)
  • A digital copy of Steam/ Its generation and use ($120 value) 
  • Access to technical experts with any post-event questions and ESP insights
  • CEU credits (if opting to receive this benefit)
  • Course certificate

No, attendees are responsible for arranging and paying for their own hotel accommodations along with transportation to/from the airport. 

Attendees are encouraged to stay The Woodlands Marriott Hotel & Convention Center where the seminar is held. Rooms are available on first come, first serve basis, and early booking is recommended to secure the discounted block rate. 

The Woodlands Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
1601 Lake Robbins Drive,
The Woodlands, Texas, USA, 77380
Phone: +1 281-367-9797

Block Rate: $229/night plus taxes and fees*
Block Ends: May 8, 2026
Block Code: Babcock & Wilcox ESP Seminar
Complimentary parking at Town Center Garage (attached)
*Destination fee will be waived.

Reserve a room. 

Yes, attendees are encouraged to stay The Woodlands Marriott Hotel & Convention Center where the seminar is held. Rooms are available on first come, first serve basis, and early booking is recommended to secure the discounted block rate. 

The Woodlands Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
1601 Lake Robbins Drive,
The Woodlands, Texas, USA, 77380
Phone: +1 281-367-9797

Block Rate: $229/night plus taxes and fees*
Block Ends: May 8, 2026
Block Code: Babcock & Wilcox ESP Seminar
Complimentary parking at Town Center Garage (attached)
*Destination fee will be waived.

Reserve a room. 

Dietary restrictions can be relayed when registering with the online form.

Special dietary requests may also relayed by submitting an inquiry.

B&W is offering attendees the opportunity to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through The University of Akron. A CEU is a nationally recognized measure of participation in accredited professional development programs, with one contact/training hour equal to 0.1 CEU.

Certificates will be issued via email by The University of Akron to attendees who:

  • Indicated interest during registration
  • Signed all required daily attendance sheets
  • Complete a post‑event assessment form

Registered attendees may cancel up to ten business days prior to the start of the seminar and receive a full refund. Cancellations received within ten business days of the seminar will incur a fee of 50% of the registration cost.

Attendees who wish to cancel or transfer their registration to another individual need to submit an inquiry.

DISCLAIMER:  Babcock & Wilcox reserves the right to refuse and / or accept registrations as deemed appropriate.

Please submit an inquiry to ask questions, make special requests, provide dietary needs, request purchase order payment, or make changes to your event registration. A member of the Babcock & Wilcox team will follow up with you promptly.

Registered attendants are automatically entered into this drawing. The winner will be randomly selected during the seminar and awarded a certificate to redeem within one calendar year of the drawing.

No purchase is necessary to enter or win [other than a paid registration].

The prize includes a visual inspection of your pulverizer mills and report identifying deficiencies and recommendations for improvement.

View Prize Drawing Official Rules and B&W's Privacy Policy.

REGISTRATION: Electrostatic Precipitator Seminar

June 1-4, 2026 │ Houston, TX │ CEUs offered

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