NOTE: Restrictions are in place to limit access to one or more of the files associated with this item. Authorized users must log in to gain access. Non-authorized users do not have access to these files.
Visit the Energy Systems Laboratory Homepage.
A Systems Approach to Optimize the Operation of a Refrigeration Unit at a Chemical Plant
Abstract
This paper focuses on the ongoing system level
analysis and the optimization results of two steamturbine
driven refrigeration units at the Dow
Chemical company Peroxymerics (PXC) plant
located at St. Charles Operations in Hahnville, LA.
Six-sigma has been accepted as a corporate-wide
philosophy at the Dow Chemical Company, and this
methodology was applied to this refrigeration system
optimization at the plant. Process refrigeration at the
plant comprises of two individual systems that
operate at different temperature levels and serve a
myriad of process loads as well as provide chilled
water for the plant. The total plant capacity is ~6,500
refrigeration tons and has a total charge of 225,000
lbs of refrigerant - R134a. Two steam turbines drive
the refrigerant compressors. The utility cost structure
is interlaced with costs and credits for the supply and
return steam to the plant headers. As a first step
towards a systems approach for optimization of the
refrigeration unit operation, Dow Chemical Company
contracted with Hudson Technologies to undertake a
feasibility study. After the projects were completed,
operational data was then collected and analyzed to
quantify the cost savings and level of optimization.
Trending certain key parameters indicated ongoing
performance and closely monitored system
degradation.
Collections
Citation
Papar, R.; Zugibe, K.; Heitler, J. (2005). A Systems Approach to Optimize the Operation of a Refrigeration Unit at a Chemical Plant. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu); Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /5593.