Fan System Optimization Improves Production and Saves Energy at Ash Grove Cement Plant

Program Document · Wed May 01 00:00:00 EDT 2002

OSTI ID:15000729

This case study describes an optimization project implemented on a fan system at Ash Grove Cement Company, which led to annual energy and maintenance savings of $16,000 and 175,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh). In 1999, Ash Grove Cement Company implemented an optimization project on a fan system in its cement plant in Durkee, Oregon. Because of a severe vibration problem, the fan system would often fail and require frequent repairs to the ductwork and adjoining machinery. The plant replaced the belt drive with an Adjustable Speed Drive (ASD) to improve the control of the fan system and lower its energy consumption. This change eliminated the vibration problem and improved the system's airflow control and energy efficiency. The project led to annual energy and maintenance savings of $16,000 and 175,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh). In addition, the fan system's improved reliability allowed the plant to achieve its desired production level. Because of partial funding from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), the total project cost was approximately $10,000, which gave the Durkee plant a simple payback of 7.5 months.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-99-GO10337
• OSTI ID: 15000729
• Report Number(s): DOE/GO-102002-1599; TRN: US200401%%185
• Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: 1 May 2002; Related Information: Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT) Mining BestPractices Project Case Study
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
42 ENGINEERING
BLOWERS
CEMENTS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
MACHINERY
MAINTENANCE
OPTIMIZATION
OREGON
PRODUCTION
RELIABILITY
VELOCITY
INDUSTRIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY
SYSTEMS IMPROVEMENTS
OIT
OFFICE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES
FAN SYSTEMS
ASH GROVE CEMENT PLANT
INDUSTRY