PMI – Peixuan Xing – 2018

Goals

In support of its efforts to reduce energy use in its factories, PMI was looking to improve the energy use of its factory plants that have yet to undergo any efficiency upgrades. EDF Climate Corps fellow Peixuan Xing to identify and analyze energy efficiency opportunities around natural gas and electricity use that would yield both GHG emissions reductions and cost savings. Specifically, Xing focused on improving efficiency associated with: idle burning of a lamp warmer, the heater process of washing section and using the cold air released from the oxygen liquefaction plant.

Solutions

TIdling Burning of heat lamp: To improve energy use associated with the idling burning of the lamp holder, Xing recommend reducing the flame to a minimum while the appliance is not in use. This requires little investment and can reduce idle burning time of all glass processing machines, which reduces the need for natural gas. It also it helps to reduce the heat generated by gas combustion and improve the working environment of the workshop.

Washing and drying machine: To increase the heat use efficiency of the washing and drying machine, Xing recommended changing the heating method to electric. She also suggested optimizing the operation of the dryer by standardizing the operating parameters (running speed, operating temperature) of the drying parts to reduce the energy use of equipment and increase the output of products per unit time.

Oxygen liquefaction plant: To increase cooling capacity, Xing suggested installing a residual cooling reuse device, which concentrates cool air and pumps it to areas in need.

Xing also recommended an energy metering system for ML Glassware to realize the high-speed, real-time and two-way overall effect of data reading and gradually realize the refined management of industrial production.

Potential Impact

These projects, when fully implemented, could result in 145,758 kWh of annual electricity savings, $690,000 in cost savings, and 316 metric tons of CO2 emissions reductions. The lamp holder automatic control system and the dryer optimization options require small upfront investments, which would allow energy savings to be realized more immediately. And, the payback period for the frequency converting retrofit relatively short.