Efficiency improvement opportunities in industrial gas utilization equipment

Abstract

The objective of this project is to find ways to improve efficiency in gas using equipment. At the preliminary stage of the project gas consumption data and Gas Utilization Efficiency Best Practice Data have been collected. The project has identified the reasons for inefficient use of gas using equipment. Field measurements and the efficiency analysis of selected industrial operations have been done and also assessed the options to improve their efficiency. The study specified the technical opportunities available and determined the costs and benefits of energy management options for the plant owner/operator. The study looked into the impact of efficiency on national level and also assessed the environmental impacts. The project reveals that the major gas using equipment is boiler, engine generator and furnace. By maintaining a good air fuel ratio that is ensuring good combustion significant amount of gas could be saved. After maintaining a good combustion a large quantity of waste heat could be recovered. The scope of efficiency improvement by ensuring good combustion in boiler is 13.5%, in engine driven generators is 24% and in re-heating furnace is 18%. The equivalent efficiency improvement by waste heat recovery potentials in boiler is 3%, in generators 50% and in furnaces is 9%.