Identifying Energy Efficiency Opportunities in the Process

The most neglected area for energy efficiency evaluations in the process industries is within the process itself. Most programs focus either on utilities (notably steam systems), or else on specific classes of equipment (e.g., furnaces, heat exchangers or pumps). However, process improvements ranging from simple piping modifications and changes in control philosophy to equipment upgrades and major revamps can and do yield robust energy savings.

This presentation will discuss approaches that have proven effective in identifying opportunities for process improvements, with a particular emphasis on the use of process flow diagram (PFD) reviews. This methodology has a proven track record across a wide range of process facilities. Several case studies will be used to illustrate the types of opportunities that are typically identified.