Plant Services - December 2007 - (Page 19)

teamer EFFICIENCY Steam Systems ndustrial fuel bills can amount to between $1 million and $3 million per year, eating up a large percentage of operating budgets. Surging energy costs have facility engineers, managers and maintenance supervisors looking for ways to make plants more efficient. In many cases, the most logical place to start is with the boiler system. You might think of it as getting control of the Steamer, one of three archetype energy-wasting villains – the D-Energizers – originally introduced in our May cover story (www.PlantServices.com/articles/2007/105.html). The reason? Eight out of 10 boilers are more than 30 years old. They run less efficiently, often are unreliable and might even be in violation of U.S. federal pollution standards. There are still 400 counties in the United States that are considered U.S. EPA non-attainment zones, meaning they don’t achieve current air quality standards. And while the EPA is the highest-ranking regulator of boiler emissions, many state and local governments are enforcing even stricter regulations. One way to find out whether the boiler in your facility is efficient is to perform a steam audit: a comprehensive analysis of energy used within a facility, process or equipment, including recommendations for energy conservation measures. A steam auditor can work much like a superhero to apprehend the Steamer and eliminate his wasteful effects on your boiler and steam system. There are two types of steam audits: a simple boiler system audit and a complete facility audit. In a simple audit, a professional evaluates the boiler room, boiler and accessory support equipment, possibly extending the evaluation somewhat into the facility. With a complete site audit, auditors evaluate the boiler system as well as components throughout a facility, including steam traps, piping, valves and steam users. A simple boiler system audit costs approximately $1,000, whereas a complete site audit, depending on the number of steam traps, other equipment and the size of the plant, could cost a few thousand dollars. The essential steps of an audit are: • Data acquisition: Identify where and how a facility, process or equipment uses energy, along with costs and utility issues affecting the energy consumption. • Data analysis: Identify energy conservation measures to make energy use more efficient, less expensive and more environmentally friendly. • Recommendations: A final report details what was found, a list of areas that need improvement, and recommended actions, usually accompanied by some type of economic justification. Scope, cost and deliverables December 2007 Illustration by Stephen Herner www.PLANTSERVICES.com 19 http://www.PlantServices.com/articles/2007/105.html http://www.PLANTSERVICES.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Plant Services - December 2007

Plant Services - December 2007 Contents From the Editor: Orange Alert The PS Files: Pressed into Innovation Up and Running What Works: Samuel Adams Facility Refreshed in Cincinnati Energy Expert: Energy's "Perfect Storm" Technology Toolbox: Know Your Position Cover Story: Get a Grip on the Steamer Piping: Outside Looking In Web Hunter: Potpourri X In the Trenches: Making a Big Stink Boiler Room: Getting Educated

Plant Services - December 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.