We live in a world that is grappling with problems related to a perpetually increasing population. Oil and gas alongside many other industries are on the receiving end of the effects of the growing global energy demand. The mix of challenges is characterized by volatile prices, stringent regulations and an insatiable demand. Fortunately, enhancing industrial energy efficiency provides the solution by not only reducing energy consumption, but also minimizing waste production. This background is important because ARANER’s solutions promote this agenda. We will see how in the subsequent sections of this article.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY BENEFITS
Industrial energy efficiency has widespread impact, although this is often measured only in terms of greenhouse gas reduction and energy savings. Some indirect benefits on productivity are:
- Operation and maintenance savings
- Compliance costs avoidance
- Capital cost avoidance (both future and immediate)
- Increased employee productivity
- Increased competitiveness
- Creation of jobs and wealth
In our coverage of industries, we come across all forms of clients ranging from small-medium enterprises to large-scale industrial processes. Activities in these areas have potential to realize energy efficiency and affect bottom-line positively.
IDENTIFYING THE WEAK POINTS
All industries face a common challenge: how to improve productivity while reducing energy consumption. As governments enforce tough regulations on emissions and efficiency, the cost of energy is skyrocketing. Without measures to counter the effects of these factors, industries can easily run into losses. The good thing is that industries with low productivity levels could do more if they manage to counter the factors stalling their progress. Knowing the technical/engineering reasons your firm’s productivity is poor could help you discover solutions for higher returns. ARANER has a wide range of solutions that not only enhance energy efficiency, but also enhance productivity. Perfect examples are electric motors and variable speed drives. Our motor driven applications only operate at optimum speeds, thus enhancing productivity and energy savings. For instance, it could be that you are using outdated systems and equipment; hence, the work needed to complete a task is unnecessarily a lot. Talk an ARANER specialist for an audit of your facility.
Figure 1: A Turbine Inlet Air Cooling System
STATE-OF-THE-ART SOLUTIONS
Optimization of manufacturing processes is achieved through installation of trendy technologies coupled with effective and efficient management of the same. To this end, several activities feature including:
- Assessment of needs- instrumentation and control
- Minimizing temperature and pressure losses
- Selecting efficient equipment- drives, motors, pumps and so on
- Maintaining energy-efficiency standards
- Process modification
APPROACHES TO ENHANCE INDUSTRIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Energy wastage in the industry is often a result of poor process control. Ask any specialist from ARANER; with a more efficient process and process control, an industry can reduce its energy bill by as much as 15%. When it comes to process utilities, one area that modern solutions can help you check is compressor costs. A simple leak can translate into high cost. That is why leak tests on the network are so important. Modern leak detection equipment is available to make the process as thorough as possible. These solutions are also applicable for the following process activities:
- Managing industrial gases
- Cooling water to appropriate temperature
- Minimizing cooling water flow
Motors and drives offer an excellent opportunity for facilities to realize monumental energy savings. For example, the trend nowadays is to use a variable speed drive (VSD) on motor to control electrical supply. Factories are reducing power requirement for the motor by up to 50% by using this technique. The use of automatic sensors or timers to control pump and fun operation is also growing in popularity. Boiler and steam management can also help save as much as 30% energy. Improving insulation and enhancing maintenance can go a long way in achieving this. Improving heat recovery is also a recommendable approach. A lot of steam can be lost through leaks so it is important to use the best leak detection methods and repair accordingly. Industries can also enhance their efficiency by effective use of the furnace. First, check how energy consumption is affected by charging and unloading of the furnace.
ARANER SOLUTION CATEGORIES
Thermal Energy Storage
ARANER’s Thermal Energy Storage (TES) tanks are popular for optimizing industrial operations. A TES tank increases the efficiency of a cooling plant by reducing the required capacity of the plant. It also helps you take advantage of off-peak hours and prices by storing chilled water overnight for use during the day (on-peak hours).
Figure 2: A Stratified Water Storage Tank
Turbine Inlet Air Cooling
Another area is Turbine Inlet Air Cooling, popularly known as TIAC. Use this technology to increase power output without necessarily investing in new gas turbines. TIAC is perfect for power production in hot climates where ambient air temperatures surpass 15 degrees Celsius; in these regions, TIAC technology can enhance capacity by as much as 30%!
District Cooling
ARANER is a provider of cooling solutions for cold storage and processing facilities in the area of District Cooling (DC). DC is an ideal cooling solution for large-scale facilities, from offices and hotels to hospitals and universities. Mega-projects and Smart Cities can also benefit from District Cooling technologies. Apart from increased energy efficiency, this technology offers higher reliability and reduces carbon dioxide emissions.
Industrial Refrigeration
Industrial Refrigeration systems work with compressors, heat exchangers, pumps, and of course a cooling medium (water, air, or a refrigerant). These types of systems are highly prevalent in the District Energy, Food & Beverage, and Pharmaceutical markets, each with their own requirements and technical challenges. ARANER’s Industrial Refrigeration solutions put into practice forward-thinking design options that are customized to the project and location.
Industrial Heat Pumps
Industrial heat pumps from ARANER are designed to optimize performance. Adherence to customer requirement is guaranteed because the process includes current situation analysis to add to product design.
Compression and Absorption Systems
Centrifugal and screw compressors are designed to suit modern industrial requirements, including compliance with API. Absorption chillers are custom-designed for each plant. Because of possible temperature requirements, ARANER offers Br/Li chillers for positive temperatures or ammonia for negative temperatures.
Figure 3: An industrial machine
CONCLUSION
ARANER is committed to promoting industrial energy efficiency for lower operating costs and improved productivity. Industries like Oil & Gas, Electricity Production, and Petrochemicals are best-positioned to take advantage of our solutions. We have the capacity to help you introduce and follow energy-efficient practices. Customized and advanced industrial cooling solutions, like the ones offered by ARANER, come at a crucial time for the industries mentioned above; the population is increasing, causing greater energy demand, energy prices are volatile, and regulatory bodies are imposing more rules at both the local and international level. Never before has there been a better time to entrust your energy efficiency strategy to a reputable company with a wealth of project experience and technical expertise. For more information about our District Cooling technologies, download our expert ebook.
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