January 2009
Industrial Technologies Program E-Bulletin: Your Online Connection
Welcome to this edition of the E-Bulletin — your connection to news and resources from DOE's Industrial Technologies Program (ITP). Each monthly edition brings you the latest industrial news highlights, and announcements about new tools and resources, training events, and project opportunities.
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Register Today for Free ITP Thursday Webcasts
ITP’s no-cost Thursday Webcasts are the perfect opportunity to enhance your knowledge about industrial system efficiency, without incurring any travel expenses. The Webcasts are held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Eastern time and cover a variety of technical topics, from energy assessments to software tools and technologies. View the events calendar to register for these upcoming Webcasts:
- January 15, 2009—Introduction to the Industrial Technologies Program
- January 22, 2009—Energy Management Programs
- January 29, 2009—Emerging Steel Technologies
- February 5, 2009—State and Utility Partnerships
- February 12, 2009—Energy Assessments: What Are the Benefits to Large Facilities?
- February 19, 2009—Energy Assessments: What are the Benefits to Small- and Medium-Sized Facilities?
- February 26, 2009—Quick PEP Tool Demonstration and Results
See presentations from previous Webcasts.
Save Energy Now Surpasses 2008 Assessment Goals
ITP conducted 691 Save Energy Now energy assessments in 2008—exceeding goals to complete a total of 550 by year’s end. Save Energy Now assessments are performed at large U.S. manufacturing facilities by DOE Energy Experts, and at small- and medium-sized plants through university-based Industrial Assessment Centers. Potential savings identified in 2008 include:
- Approximately $300 million in avoided energy costs
- 18 trillion Btu—the equivalent to the amount of energy used to heat 360,000 single-family homes each year
- 1.2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions—the equivalent of taking more than 200,000 cars off the road.
A total of 1,900 assessments took place between 2006 and 2008, helping manufacturers save an average of 8% of their total energy costs. To date, Save Energy Now assessments have identified more than $1 billion in potential energy savings and saved industry $173 million in energy costs. Learn more about Save Energy Now, including how to apply for an assessment.
Free Pump Systems Audio Web Briefing January 19, 2009
ITP is partnering with Pump Systems Matter™ (PSM) to offer a free audio Web briefing on Monday, January 19, 2009. The 40-minute briefing, entitled "Pump Systems Performance Impacts Multiple Bottom Lines", will be presented by Mike Pemberton of ITT Industrial Process. It will focus on ways to optimize your pump system performance for lower maintenance costs and improved system reliability. PSM is an industry-led market transformation initiative that focuses on pump systems education and outreach and addresses energy savings and total cost of pump ownership. Learn more about other ITP resources that can help you improve pump system efficiency, including the Pumping System Assessment Tool (PSAT) and related training.
Deadline to Test New Energy Assessment Draft Standards is January 19, 2009
This is a final reminder that the deadline to test new system energy assessment standards is January 19, 2009. The draft standards were developed for trial use by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Superior Energy Performance partnership. They focus on four system areas: pumping, compressed air, steam, and process heating. The standards will establish the requirements for organizing and conducting assessments at industrial plants, analyzing data, and reporting and documentation. They also provide a framework for conducting assessments that will help define the market for system assessment services. ITP has provided support to ASME Project Teams throughout the development process. To learn more about testing the draft standards, contact Paul Sheaffer at 703-356-1300 extension 215, or Ryan Crane at 212-591-7004.
ITP-sponsored technologies help U.S. industry save energy, boost productivity, and reduce emissions. Below you will find new technologies to help increase energy efficiency at your company.
The PyrOptix hand-held infrared imaging system, shown here in use, provides images of boiler interiors to help manufacturers reduce downtime and safety hazards. |
Interior Views: PyrOptix™ Infrared Imaging System Improves Efficiency and Safety
Operators of black liquor recovery boilers used in paper making, as well as utility boilers, have increased the efficiency of their operations and reduced downtime by using the Enertechnix PyrOptix™ infrared inspection system (PDF 1 MB). Developed with assistance from ITP for use in the pulp and paper industry, PyrOptix provides thermal video images of kraft chemical recovery boiler interiors. The PyrOptix system uses infrared technology and a digital recorder to produce images of boiler blockages and deposits from depths of 100 feet. This allows for monitoring of a combustion chamber, convection pass, and economizer—all from the PyrOptix hand-held view screen. The thermal imaging helps to:
- Detect bent soot blowers, loose tubes, and tube leaks
- Identify and control build-up of deposits, including salt cake formations
- Extend intervals between boiler shutdowns.
Early detection using the PyrOptix system can reduce downtime by approximately 20% and extend intervals between boiler shutdowns. Pulp and paper companies have achieved estimated savings of $600,000 annually per boiler and a 15% reduction in steam use, which equates to $250,000 annually per boiler at $3/MBtu.
The PyrOptix system was commercialized in 2002. Enertechnix recently released a new rugged infrared lens assembly that incorporates an off-axis lens with rotational capability for observation of liquor spray patterns. The lens can be designed to varying lengths for use in different boiler layouts. Combined with the PyrOptix hand-held system, the new lens provides interior boiler views from difficult locations.
Learn more about ITP’s research and development of additional technologies for the forest products industry.
Attend these key events to learn about the latest energy-efficient technologies and practices, and network with industry peers.
Held January 18-23, 2009, in Daytona Beach, Florida, the 33rd International Conference and Exposition on Advanced Ceramics and Composites will showcase cutting-edge research and product developments in the industry. The event includes 11 symposia and four focused sessions ranging in topics from nanostructured materials to advanced nuclear energy applications for silicon carbide and carbon-based materials.The Northwest Food Manufacturing & Packaging Expo will take place January 19-21, 2009, in Portland, Oregon. The event draws food processing industry professionals from around the globe and more than 450 exhibitor booths showcasing the latest technologies, equipment, services, and supplies to improve operations.
The Association of Energy Service Professionals 19th National Energy Services Conference and Expo will be held January 27-29, 2009, in San Diego, California. Energy service professionals will discover new ideas for energy efficiency programs and learn about emerging market trends and technologies through panel discussions. The event includes more than 70 presentations, networking events, pre-conference workshops, and an expo hall filled with innovative products and services.
The API Inspector Summit January 27-30, 2009, in Galveston, Texas, will cover emerging trends and new and existing industry codes, standards, and issues. New and veteran inspectors can advance their skills and knowledge through more than 40 topic sessions, including risk based inspections, metallurgy/corrosion, inspector roles, coatings/linings and cathodic protection, and many more.
Sustainable and “green” manufacturing practices and products will be featured at the Green Manufacturing Expo, February 10-12, 2009 in Anaheim, California. Products and services that help create energy-efficient processes from the energy, software, packaging, machinery, and recycling industries will be showcased.
Sponsored by DOE, the International Colloquium on Environmentally Preferred Advanced Power Generation held February 10-12, 2009, in Newport Beach, California, will address advanced central power and advanced distributed generation technologies. Attendees can choose from tracks on distributed generation technologies (1 MW to 50 MW) or central plant technologies (100 MW to 1,000 MW).
On March 6-7, 2009, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, leaders in the technology, policy, industry, and finance fields will come together at the MIT Energy Conference. Panel discussions include energy use in the developing world, demand, transportation, fuels, and power generation issues. Promising technologies and new approaches to energy policy will be showcased.
The Industrial Energy Technology Conference is scheduled for May 12-15, 2009, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Sponsored by DOE, this unique event features numerous workshops and technical sessions focused on industrial energy and waste reduction. The conference is designed for professionals involved in the production, use, or transportation of energy; or in designing and evaluating energy-related equipment and waste reduction practices.
The West Coast Energy Management Congress will take place June 10-11, 2009, in Long Beach, California. This is the largest energy conference and technology expo held on the U.S. West coast specifically for business, industrial, and institutional energy users. DOE is a Government Energy Leader for the event, which will showcase new technologies, energy supply and alternative energy options, and innovative project implementation strategies.
ITP offers technical publications, software tools, and other resources to help you address your company's industrial energy needs. Here are the latest products from ITP.
Beta Version of Integrated Tool Suite Available for Testing
ITP is developing a new Integrated Tool Suite that can be downloaded as a stand-alone tool to a desktop and does not require an Internet connection to input data and get results. Companies can use this software tool to find the best opportunities to reduce energy use in major energy-consuming systems and get a broad list of potential next steps to achieve energy and cost savings. The Integrated Tool Suite includes enhanced features such as an Energy Intensity Spreadsheet for expanded baseline capabilities and a CO2 Footprint Calculator for estimating potential emissions reductions. In addition, the tool suite features system-specific scorecards for quickly estimating savings opportunities in these areas:
- Compressed Air
- Process Cooling and Refrigeration
- Process Heating
- Pumping Systems
- Industrial Buildings
ITP is looking for industry to provide feedback on how the tool functions prior to releasing the first version. Download the Integrated Tool Suite beta version and provide your comments by January 31, 2009.
AIRMaster+ LogTool Helps Users Gather Crucial Data for AIRMaster+
A new AIRMaster+ LogTool can now be downloaded as a companion tool to AIRMaster+. Use the LogTool first to determine the operating dynamics of your compressed air system. Then you can input that data into AIRMaster+ to model existing and future compressed air system upgrades and evaluate savings and effectiveness of energy efficiency measures. Download the AIRMaster+ LogTool.
DOE Assessment Identifies Nine Energy Savings Measures for Verizon Data Center
Verizon Communications Inc. has the potential to save $181,500 in costs and 1,540,700 kWh in energy at one of its data centers by implementing nine energy savings measures identified during a DOE energy assessment. The assessment focused on air management best practices, but also pinpointed savings opportunities in the cooling plant and electrical system. The recommendations can also be applied to Verizon’s more than 200 data centers located around the world, while data centers industry-wide can take similar steps to reduce their energy consumption. For details, read the full assessment summary (PDF 322 KB). Learn more about DOE tools and resources that can help your company improve its data center efficiency.
Visit the ITP Web site for more BestPractices technical publications, software tools, and case studies to help you improve efficiency, productivity, and the bottom line.
ITP awards cost-shared funding for R&D and plant assessment projects through a competitive merit review process.
Get E-mail Alerts About Small Business Funding Solicitations
The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program sends out free bi-weekly notifications of funding solicitations and other information from multiple-agency Web sites. Through the SBIR/STTR program, 11 federal agencies provide annual funding to small businesses to research, develop, and commercialize their technologies. Sign up for the SBIR/STTR Alerting Service.
Visit Grants.gov for Federal Funding Opportunities
The Grants.gov Web site is a great resource for locating and applying for federal funding opportunities offered by the 26 federal grant-making agencies. Before submitting an application, however, you must first register on the Grants.gov Web site. This one-time registration process takes 3 to 5 business days to complete. Learn more and register.
To learn more about project opportunities, visit ITP's solicitation page.