Manufacturing

A thermal energy audit of South Island MDF producer Dongwha Patinna identified seven energy management opportunities, and a buyer for excess fuel produced onsite - which together could be worth up to $288,000 a year.

For many businesses, refrigeration systems consume large amounts of electricity, thereby contributing greatly to operating costs. Improvements to technical aspects of operations have the potential to reduce energy use by
up to 40%, whilst simple improvements in operational practices can reduce energy use by 15%.

Aimed at refrigeration operators, this guide outlines system changes that can be made to improve the performance of equipment, reduce operating costs and improve profitability.

Just five months after Goodman Fielder had the boilers at its Meadow Fresh dairy plant serviced, another simple burner tune-up delivered savings of $45,000 per year.

The rising cost of LPG prompted South Island gelatine producer Gelita NZ Ltd to install a hot water heat pump to replace its steam pick heater. Estimated energy savings are worth around $230,000 annually, and the project has a payback of less than a year.

This Technical Guide provides guidance on the conversion of existing coal fired boilers to wood pellet operation. There are a number of obvious advantages to using wood pellets: they are 100% renewable and relatively clean burning. Of paramount importance in a conversion is the need both to maintain the safety and integrity of the boiler and control systems, and also to improve safety to the level of best practice.

Alpha Laboratories has installed a make-up air pre-dryer - this investment was enhanced by reducing air loss, introducing sensors and load-based control strategies. Combined the new equipment and processes are cutting gas use by 72% - $60,000 each year.

Virtually every industrial process generates waste heat - the challenge is to recover this heat and make use of it economically. Waste heat can be seen in shimmering boiler flues or steaming waste water discharges.

Heat recovery captures waste heat and uses it to eliminate or reduce energy required in other areas of a process or site. This practice reduces a business's overall energy bill and greenhouse gas emissions as well as improving profitability.