Novel method of benchmarking energetic efficiency of industrial systems
In actual economic environment, business sustainability requires high-efficiency technological processes. While Government and Utilities Demand Side Management (DSM) programs consider energy consumption (EUsed) as a whole, proposed method splits energy in 2 (two) specific components: Ideal energy (EIdeal) and Energy at Risk (E@R). Considering these two types of energy a Benchmark Energy Factor (BEF) can be defined. BEF compares the energy used by industrial system or processes (IS&P), Eused to the minimum energy required to accomplish the task at hand Eideal. Ideal energy (power) can be very accurate calculated by using adequate (well known) laws of physics chosen function of the work type performed by IS&P, therefore a solid (not empirical) reference for benchmarking system is available. That eliminates traditional variability that uses variable baselines as “best practice” or other criteria. Volatile comparative element across an industrial sector is replaced with a theoretical goal with a scientific set-up. BEF enables a new approach towards energy efficiency in industrial sector and help level the playing field for energy management. Proposed method promotes a sustainable and consistent approach making possible to determine accurately the (E@R) under variable material and environmental conditions making possible to manage the energy losses. The rating is then solely based on how close the true energy consumption within an IS&P gets to that ideal state. From economic standpoint, these sustainability concepts favor high-efficiency systems, as any energy-efficient system translates into higher effective productivity. Paper proposes a rating system model to describe the energy-efficiency for any IS&P independent of a comparison with others. BEF enables a reliable rating system model describing energetic efficiency of any IS&P that can be used by U.S. Department of Energy-Energy-Star Certification for Plants Program replacing existent benchmarking practice. Case study assessing IS&P by using (E@R) and (BEF) concepts with development of a new standard is presented.
Power savings obtained with integrated industrial system drives
Numerous scientific and official documents stress that energy efficiency improvements can play a key role in both assuring a sustainable energy future and mitigating climate change through socio-economic development. Last World Summit in Durban concluded that changing unsustainable patterns of energy use is a key area for global action to ensure the survival of our planet. This paper proposes a new Concept of five (5) Essentials of Application Engineering, (5 EAE), which would enable designers, manufacturers, and end-users to consistently design and evaluate any design or retrofits of power converters and/or industrial system drives. Five (5) essentials of application engineering have already been successful in designing and manufacturing integrated industrial system drives (IISD), and has created new basis-of-design for drives in mining and heavy industries in South Africa. 5 EAE, as a concept, produces several collateral benefits: 1) An increased technical and economic performance of processes; 2) The defusing of incipient energy and economic crisis; 3) An improvement of environmental conditions; and 4) The creation of jobs in industries. Consequently, 5 EAE can be used as a model for improving a company's corporate policies and/or utilities, and government energy policies.
LV motor right-sizing for platinum mine concentrator pump applications
energize June 2005 Page 47 It was recommended to select the above equipment to operate at maximum efficiency [1], which would result in reduction of the overall energy consumption, therefore translating into cost savings. Pump motors are significant consumers of energy in a typical concentrator plant, since they mostly operate on a continual basis, 24 hours/day. This paper details the results of analysis of efficiency of installed pump motors at one of Anglo Platinum’s concentrator plants and recommends ways to improve their efficiency.