Compressed Air Best Practices - January 2008 - (Page 7)

Compressed Air Industry ENERGY MANAGEMENT | 01/08 | FROM THE EDITOR The Opportunity Provided by Energy Management Industrial users have embraced the opportunity to reduce energy costs associated with their compressed air systems. Utility engineers recognize the rapid ROI’s on the capital they deploy in these projects. Corporate management has recognized the opportunity to translate kW savings into the corresponding savings in carbon dioxide. The national average emissions factor for electricity is 1.37 pounds of CO2 per kilowatt-hour.* Industrial users are holding Kaizen events on their compressed air systems. When the audits are completed and executed, the results are translated into carbon dioxide savings. This is then equated to the equivalent number of trees one would have to plant to filter out the same amount of carbon dioxide. They also equate these savings to the number of cars we would have to take off the road. These corporations are making a huge difference to their bottom lines AND to the environment. The public relations departments of these companies will deservedly communicate to the public what they are doing. We find it remarkable what an impact one-to-three people working at a large corporation can have on profits and the environment. The goal of this journal is to continue educating these “heavy-hitters” on the opportunities. We are introducing the logo seen on this page to call the readers’ attention to BEST PRACTICES within an article. The symbol represents the benefits to both profits and to the environment that these compressed air system audits bring. We are introducing a regular column called the “Audit of the Month” where we will let readers see edited-down versions of the audit work currently being done in compressed air systems. The “January Audit of the Month” is on a Copper Smelter in Peru. Mr. David Smith, a veteran compressed air auditor, shares with us how this facility spent $1.4 million per year on the electricity required for the compressed air system. They are now on track to spend $759,000 per year after a project that has a 9.5-month break-even point. Utility companies can play a role in energizing (pardon the pun) a region to seek out opportunities to drive down energy costs. In this edition, we write about the incentive program offered by National Grid, which made it financially possible for a paper mill in Massachusetts to deploy wireless sensor technologies necessary to optimize a compressed air system. Variable speed drive air compressors have made a tremendous impact in driving down energy costs. Like any technology, it is important to understand the application in which they will deliver the energy savings. In his “Real World Best Practices” column, Mr. Hank Van Ormer has provided us with a guideline for selecting VSD rotary compressors. Finally, on behalf of the global compressed air industry, we extend our heart-felt condolences to the family and employees of BEKO, due to the passing of Mr. Berthold Koch. He will be greatly missed. His legacy is secure in that he personally changed the way compressed air condensate is managed around the world. ROD SMITH *Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration Electric Power Annual 2005, Table 5.1 (October 2006) www.airbestpractices.com 7 http://www.belairtech.net http://www.belairtech.net http://www.belairtech.net http://www.airbestpractices.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Compressed Air Best Practices - January 2008

Compressed Air Best Practices - January 2008 Contents Focus Industry Features Compressed Air Industry Articles From the Editor Real World Best Practices: Selecting A VSD Rotary Compressor Audit of the Month: Energy Savings in Peru The Low-Hanging Fruit in Pneumatic Systems Mikropor America, Inc. Wireless Sensor Networks: Improve Efficiency in Compressed Air Systems Special Report: The Chicago Pneumatic Compressor Launch in North America The Importance of Measuring Vacuum The Comp-Air Service Co. Special Report: The 2007 NAACD Wall Street Watch Advertiser Index Job Market

Compressed Air Best Practices - January 2008

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