Monitoring Energy Efficiency in Sophisticated Process Plants

Abstract

The proper operation of existing facilities is needed if design improvements are to be reduced to practice completely. A system of technical targets which provides enough data for day to day monitoring and remedial action, and also provides a standard against which the existing facilities can be measured is described. The chief element of this system is a target which is established by detailed analysis of existing facilities. This target represents the best achievable operation without additional investment. It has built-in parameters for the major variables which effect energy consumption such as throughput, cooling water temperature, etc. Significant engineering resources are required to develop these targets, but these are generally paid for by immediate energy savings; examples are presented.