Results of Multi-system Energy Savings Assessments (ESA) for a Chemical Processing Facility

ABSTRACT Multi-system energy savings assessments (ESAs) were completed in the fall of 2007 at a large chemical processing facility in Georgia. The plant manufactures food additives. The assessments were funded by combined contributions from the company and a grant from the state energy office. Energy systems assessed included steam, compressed air, chilled water, and electric motor drives. DOE Best Practice Tools were used to prepare the assessments. For the three energy systems studied, a total of 21 energy savings opportunities with a projected cost savings potential of $2.6 million were identified. These resulting cost savings distributed between the systems were: 44.3 percent boiler/steam, 35.5 percent compressed air, and 20.2 percent chilled water. Opportunities identified were representative ones, and additional opportunities are certainly possible with continued study and use of the DOE tools introduced. The estimated payback of the combined measures was less than one year. The process followed to ...