It’s perhaps stating the obvious to say that at the moment almost every industry is grappling with cost control, better productivity, and improved energy efficiency.
At times, it can feel like an impossible juggling act. Yet, government incentives (or disincentives), and a desire to do the right thing for the planet are also increasingly important driving factors that no industry can afford to ignore.
The Many Benefits of Improved Energy Efficiency
A recent report by the International Energy Agency (Driving Energy Efficiency in Heavy Industries in metal production), cited the significant benefits of improved energy efficiency which include “creating jobs, enhancing industries’ competitiveness, triggering technological innovation, cutting energy bills, strengthening the security of energy supply, protecting the environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions”.
And of course, such benefits apply across all sectors including pharmaceutical and health sectors, agriculture, the motor industry, plastic and glass production and more.
Yet the same report also revealed that in heavy industry, the “rate of global energy efficiency improvement has undergone a worrying slowdown over the last decade” in part due to the pandemic. As an industry, it’s almost certainly not alone.
Urgent Action Required:
COP27 last year also reinforced what most of us knew, namely that at a time when the drive to create a more sustainable future has been overshadowed by events in Ukraine, the need for us all to take action is more urgent than ever before. But how do we do so cost effectively?
How Can Thermal Imaging Cameras Help Improve Energy Efficiency?
Thermal imaging cameras and smart sensors are at the very heart of improving energy efficiency. They can help in a number of important ways, including improved monitoring of more parameters, ranging from operating conditions to equipment status.
This sort of analysis means better and earlier identification of energy inefficiencies or faults, and improved performance and optimisation of processes, equipment and systems. It also results in a better quality of data collection which in turn can provide valuable insights and further improvements or innovations all of which drive productivity but can also save costs.
Related: How Does a Thermal Imaging Camera Work?
Examples of How Thermal Imaging Cameras Can Help
Metal and Glass Manufacturing
Anyone working in metal manufacturing will be familiar with the large furnaces that are usually refractory-lined. This lining can and does break down causing expensive heat loss for furnaces that run at such high temperatures. And the same equally applies to other equipment such as crucibles and vessels used for transferring molten material whether that’s metal or glass.
This is an area where Process Parameters’ thermal imaging can make a real difference. Checking for and identifying heat loss can result in significant energy and cost savings.
Valve Insulation
If you work in an industry that uses control valves (that often involve the control of steam), you’ll be aware of their potential to be energy inefficient. Insulating jackets are one way of improving the energy efficiency of these valves but the jackets themselves are liable to deteriorate over time.
Once again, we can assist by testing the efficiency of the insulating jacket which not only ensures the valve and the jacket are operating as efficiently as possible but also ensures that jackets are only replaced as and when needed.
See Our Thermal CamerasHow Process Parameters Can Add Value
Here at Process Parameters, we start by taking the time to understand your application so that we can design something that meets your specific requirements. Alternatively, we may be able to advise you about improvements or cost savings that could be made to your existing equipment.
Our aim is then to work closely with you to provide a high-quality solution at a cost-effective price and we will advise you about best options and alternatives. We will continue to work closely with you to carry out modifications as necessary and to ensure your production remains cost effective and of the highest standard.
If you’d like more information about a specific application, please get in touch.
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