September 2020

A side from the negative impact of CO2 production on the environment, there is also the financial burden of energy usage. For this reason, manufacturing companies are actively exploring ways to lower their carbon footprint and enhance energy efficiency. One area that offers manufacturers a significant opportunity to reduce CO2 emissions is by recovering the waste heat from air compressors. While this approach has gained some traction in Europe, the adoption of compressed air energy recovery has been slower in the UK. The perceived complexity of heat recovery systems has contributed to the slow uptake. Nevertheless, research shows that significant benefits can be gained. The experience of those already pursuing this strategy confirms this data. Statistics show that compressed air typically accounts for about 12% of the total energy costs for industrial manufacturers. For some facilities, the figure may reach as high as 40%. However, 70-94% of energy consumed by air compressors is recoverable. Without any form of recovery, this energy is lost through radiation to the atmosphere or through cooling systems. The carbon 10 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk September 2020 Insight The hidden value of compressed air heat recovery Social responsibility is forcing manufacturers to find new ways of reducing their carbon emissions and energy consumption. Obvious steps like the use of low- energy light bulbs and automated heating offer some immediate carbon savings. But even once these steps are taken, there remains a pressure to reduce further. PWE reports.

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=