Industry Regulations and the Environment Among Topics of Discussion

NEW YORK, May 1, 2008 – Three executives at leading gas turbine manufacturing companies will be the keynote speakers at ASME Turbo Expo 2008 in Berlin, Germany.

Charles Soothill of Alstom Power Systems, Richard J. Parker of Rolls-Royce Group, and Paul F. Browning of Solar Turbines Inc., will speak on Clean Gas Turbine Technologies for Land, Sea and Air on June 9, at the Estrel Berlin Hotel and Convention Center.  ASME Turbo Expo 2008, including a technical program and equipment exposition, continues to June 13 and will attract an international audience.

The keynote speakers will address several important industry issues, including the impact of new regulations on power plants and the development of technologies that improve the environmental performance of gas turbine systems.

“The industry’s ability to create technological solutions to environmental challenges is impressive,” said Soothill, who also is serving as executive conference chair of Turbo Expo 2008.  “The industry has taken important steps to broaden the range of fuels that can be combusted efficiently while providing lower emissions.”

Charles Soothill is vice president of technology at Alstom, based in the United Kingdom.  An accomplished engineer and innovator, Soothill has contributed to clean coal combustion, fuel efficiency, emissions reduction, and other technology programs over a 26-year career in the gas turbine business.  He is a fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and vice-chairman of the European Technology Platform on Zero Emissions Fossil Fuel Power Plants.

Richard J. Parker is the director of research and technology at Rolls-Royce Group, also based in the UK.  He has been involved with compressor systems, composite materials, and other engine technologies over a 30-year career at Rolls-Royce.  Parker is a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and visiting professor at Loughborough University.

Paul F. Browning serves at Solar Turbines, San Diego, Calif., as vice president of turbomachinery products.  In that position, Browning is responsible for the design, manufacture, and procurement of the company’s gas turbine and centrifugal gas compressor products.  Prior to joining Solar Turbines in 1978, Browning worked in the corporate research and power systems units of General Electric.

ASME Turbo Expo 2008 will cover engine design, materials, operations and maintenance, noise reduction in turbines, alternative fuels, combustion diagnostics, and micro-turbines, among many other topics.  The annual technical conference brings together engineers, research scientists, educators and other professionals involved in the design, operation, and maintenance of gas turbines.  The ASME International Gas Turbine Institute in Atlanta, Ga., organizes and manages Turbo Expo.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is a not-for-profit professional organization promoting the art, science and practice of mechanical and multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences.  ASME develops codes and standards that enhance public safety, and provides lifelong learning and technical exchange opportunities benefiting the engineering and technology community.  ASME has 127,000 members.

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