Richard Woodward, Thermo Fisher Scientific, discusses some of the major Myths surrounding the capabilities of online analyzers (PGNAA and PFTNA). Valid reasons for careful calibration and configuration show why site-specific factors are so important for good results.

Ian Burrell, of Control Systems Technology, Austrailia, discusses the dynamics of belt weigher design and operations, including mechanical and electronic weighers.

Stephen Smith, Coalsmith Consultants, reviews a recent bias test of a coal sampling system. Sample collection, data analysis, and certification of the sampler are discussed. The sample system showed no evidence of commcially significant bias.

Rod Hatt of Coal Combustion shows us how to read the coal analysis report, and relate it to coals origins, utilization, and combustion. The chemical analysis of coal can be related to impacts on boiler performance, and coal quality is key to determining causes of outages and deratings due to coal quaity.

The final agenda for NW&SA technical meeting and NIST Handbook44 (HB44) changes for 2009.

BIll McHale of Kanawha Scale Systems points out some key accuracies that are important to consider with large unit train loading and weighing.

Jason Makansi of Pearlstreet Inc. shows how weighing and sampling of coal are part of the value chain of electric power, how we can expect carbon dioxide regulations to impact the coal industry , and why Wall Street is salivating over the prospects for carbon cap-and-trade.

Joe Warren of Systems Associates Inc. presents "The Long and the Short of It" for a custom rail scale project for AES Shady Point Plant, Panama, OK.

Minutes of the annual NW&SA business meeting, including officers, finance, expenses, and future plans.

Phil O'Conor of PROactive Strategies talks about the challenges of post-war rebuilding of electrical infrastructure in Iraq, emphasizing the importance of reliable power to the security and economic well being of it's people.

Our panel of experts discuss the reconciliation process between book (input-output) and physical inventories (stockpile density and volumetric survey) for annual reporting of power station assets. How to avoid coal writeoffs with good scale maintenance and quality control of the stockpile inventory.

Our Panel discusses the possible interactions between sweep sample systems co-located with conveyor belt scales. What are the implications for weighing and sampling accuracy, and how can users reduce the risks of error?

Joe Grell of Rice Lake Weighing Sytems shows the key elements of truck scale maintenance, including installation, calibration, and routine maintenance.

Stephen Smith of Coalsmith Consultants reviews the latest version of the NWSA website and discusses the potential for greater interaction of members using features found in Joomla.

Peter Sirrico of Thayer Scale explains how flow consistency impacts belt scale weighments.