Improving Productivity and Energy Efficiency in Copper Electrowinning Plants
This paper presents strategies to improve energy efficiency and productivity in copper electrowinning (EW) plants. Plant modeling is based on updated technical data and specific measurements obtained in a tankhouse during a complete production cycle (four to five continuous days). The industrial EW plant site examined produces 180 000 ton/year with an operating current density of 300 A/m2 and a current dispersion of 8.5%. Proposals are based on the use of Optibar intercell bars and the reduction of distance between electrodes. Due to these changes, an improvement of +4.3% in energy efficiency combined with an increase of +3.4% in production can be accomplished. The productivity improvement projected for the plant is U.S.$ 10 million/year.
Improvement of energy efficiency in industries by facility based energy management
Energy is abundantly present in nature but the usable form is scarce and limited. In the present energy scenario energy conservation (EC) is imminent. Industries consume about 50% of energy produced and EC in this sector is more significant. Use of energy management systems (EMS) is one of the feasible approaches. There are many energy consuming components in industries and EC effort should be user friendly, cost effective and less time consuming. In this paper, commonly used machineries in industries are considered and the opportunities in saving energy are discussed. Techniques are suggested in which the cost incurred for implementation is nil or less. Some of the suggested techniques are implemented in an industry. Results show that although there is variation in the savings in individual components but overall 9102 units of energy is saved in the plant (22.4%). The payback period is 8 months. Production is not affected.
Integrated land degradation monitoring and assessment: Horizontal knowledge management at the national and international levels
The need for improved horizontal knowledge management at the national and international levels is essential for monitoring and assessment of land degradation and desertification. At the national level, governments utilise scientific, socio‐economic and technical data and information for strategic planning, priority setting and national environment and development planning. However, challenges including the lack of capacity and lack of collaboration and sharing of information across governments affect responses to and the effectiveness of monitoring and knowledge exchange, along with the ability to effectively implement treaties. At the international level, a number of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) share cross‐sectoral themes related to research and monitoring, information exchange, technology transfer, capacity building and financial resources. The need for increased synergies stems from the similarities between the issues they address. Challenges for improving knowledge management at the international level include insufficient interaction between the scientific bodies of the various MEAs; duplication of reporting, monitoring and assessment efforts; limited knowledge management between the various assessments addressing ecosystems and biological diversity during the past decade; and insufficient collaboration between the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the UN system and the international non‐governmental organisation (NGO) community. This paper examines these challenges and offers recommendations on how monitoring and assessment knowledge can be better managed at the national and international levels. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.