Coal Preparation Society of America

Message from the President

On Saturday October 8, 2011, the world-wide coal preparation community lost a valuable member when Dr. William (Bill) G. Kalb passed away from a long battle with cancer. Bill was an excellent engineer, chemist and a world-leading authority on thermal drying of coal. He was an active member of the Coal Preparation Society of America (CPSA) and a member of the International Coal Preparation Committee. He served as president of TraDet Inc., located in Wheeling, West Virginia, and he was a member of the American Standard and Testing Material (ASTM) committee. 

I met Bill in the mid-seventies when he had a contract from the government to test thermal dryer exhaust stacks. At the time I was working for the Eastern Associated Coal Company, which had nine coal dryers. Bill became fascinated with the different types of drying systems and their controls, to include Negative, Push-Pull and Positive Air Drying Systems. His fascination with thermal dryer system design led him to improve upon system designs as well as their controls, which resulted in his design of a recycle gas coal dryer and low rank coal drying systems. His research and development work has been instrumental in advancing sub-bituminous dryers.

But perhaps Bill’s greatest achievement was bringing the International Coal Preparation Congress to the United Stated in 2011. He worked tirelessly in making it a great success, both in presentation and economics. Thank you, Bill, for being a dedicated engineer and a supporter of coal preparation throughout the world. We will always remember your contributions.

We need new board members to keep the society going and promote its growth, and encourage our members to get involved.

Welcome from the President

The Coal Preparation Society of America (CPSA) was formed in 2002 to bring those involved in coal preparation together. A quarterly journal was founded and has grown in publication of the magazine. In 2010, the International Coal Preparation Congress was held in conjunction with the Coal Prep Show and was a great success under the direction of Dr. William Kalb with the help of CPSA members.

In 2011, CPSA is in the process of turning a page by developing a Strategic Plan to move forward for the purpose “To Advance the Knowledge of Coal Preparation”. You will note we have changed are logo and are sponsoring a CPSA dinner at the Woodford Reserve during the Coal Prep Show in May, 2011.  We are also providing the Workshops at this years show and plan to expand our journal.

CPSA core values and principles that have been defined are:

  • Value for membership
  • Innovation
  • Integrity
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Education
  • High Quality
  • Objectivity

It is the society intent to grow in membership, increase the high quality of our publications, aid in development of new technology, and improve public image and awareness of coal preparation.

CPSA can only achieve these lofty goals by your support. Please consider joining us if you have not become a member. Stop by our Booth #2003 at the show and meet your representatives. There will be annual meeting on Wednesday at 8:00 AM in a  conference room. Please look for the sign and attend.

Dave Carris
President

Login