Hosted by McNeese State University – Institute for Industry–Education Collaboration (IIEC)

Cost
$1,999 Early Registration through July 31, 2026
$2,499 Regular Registration
Light breakfast items and lunch are included at no additional cost.

Program Schedule

• Monday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM • Optional Chemical Distillation Workshop
• Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM • Core Program
• Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM • Core Program
• Thursday: 8:00 AM – 12:15 PM • Core Program
• Thursday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM • Optional Refinery Distillation Workshop

Participants may attend the core program plus one or both optional workshops at no additional cost. Program concludes Thursday at 5:00 PM.

About the Course

This down-to-earth course gives comprehensive coverage of distillation technology, with particular emphasis on the problems that can occur and how to solve them.

It provides an excellent opportunity to develop a working knowledge of key techniques that can promote trouble-free operation and reduce distillation cost.

You Will Learn How To

• Troubleshoot a distillation column and determine what may cause poor performance
• Evaluate existing column performance and develop new designs
• Avoid common causes of capacity bottlenecks, tray damage, downcomer unsealing problems, packed tower distributor malfunctions, and other operating difficulties
• De-bottleneck a column to improve capacity and/or separation
• Control and operate a distillation column
• Validate your tower simulation

Case Studies

Case studies will be incorporated throughout the program to illustrate key principles.

After-Hours Informal Session

This optional session, which will be held following the program on Tuesday, November 10, is an opportunity to discuss items that are not on the formal program and take longer to discuss.

Participants are encouraged to bring materials in a form that can be projected on the screen so that everyone in the audience can view and discuss.

Participants are also encouraged to bring backup material, such as tray and tower drawings or gamma scans, as innocent-looking details often turn out to be major issues.

Course Books and Materials

Each participant will receive copies of the following as part of their registration fee:

• Distillation Diagnostics by H. Z. Kister — $155 value
• Distillation Operation by H. Z. Kister — $160 value
• Chapter 14 from Perry's Handbook, 9th Edition
• A custom course manual featuring unique, exclusive insights

Recommended Audience

Engineering and supervisory personnel who are involved in:

• Operating distillation processes
• Troubleshooting
• De-bottlenecking
• Designing distillation processes
• Starting up distillation processes

About the Instructor

Known as “the tower doctor,” Henry Kister is a Fluor Corporation Senior Fellow and Director of Fractionation Technology, with a vast background in all phases of distillation, including operation, troubleshooting, controls, design, and start-up.

At Fluor, Henry designs, revamps, and advises on distillation processes, equipment, and controls for the chemical, petrochemical, and oil industries. He is Fluor's representative to the FRI Technical Advisory and Design Practices Committees, is a Fellow of AIChE and IChemE, and is a member of the US Academy of Engineering.

Henry is the author of four distillation textbooks, over 150 technical articles, and has presented this course over 580 times in public and for major corporations in 27 countries on all six continents.

Registration Deadline

September 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM. We will continue to accept registrations beyond this date if seats remain.

Payment Options

• Pay online by credit card: Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or AMEX
• Pay by check or money order, payable to McNeese State University
• Pay by company purchase order

Need an invoice, quote, or paying by PO? Email iiec@mcneese.edu.

Questions?

McNeese IIEC Team
iiec@mcneese.edu
337-562-4592