News
- 03.10.11
Magnezit Group implements a comprehensive program aimed at improvement of energy efficiency
Magnezit Group is modernizing the compressed air supply system at the plants of Satka production site (town Satka, Chelyabinsk region) in the framework of a comprehensive program aimed at improvement of energy efficiency. A project for decentralization of existing air supply system was developed. It is aimed at improvement of the system’s performance, its reliability and increase of energy efficiency by 40 %. The project is planned for medium-term perspective; the volume of investments will amount to about 600 million rubles.
"Program of modernization of compressed air supply system is one of the most efficient projects for improving energy efficiency, — pointed out General Director of Magnezit Group Sergey Odegov. "The pay-off period amounts to less than five years. The project will be paid off mainly as a result of electric energy saving and reduction of operating costs. Compressed air is one of the most cheapest and safest energy sources.
Consumers of compressed air are virtually all the subdivisions of the production site: it is used for blow-off and cooling of equipment, ensuring operation of pneumatic tools applied in cases when sparking is inadmissible. The major part of produced compressed air (up to 80%) is used for pumping of dust generated in the process of refractory products manufacturing.
In the framework of the project modern equipment will be installed at seven compressor stations — compressors of the firm Cameron of various productivity depending upon requirements of workshops in compressed air. This equipment has excellent performance specifications and frequency steering, which provides for controlled resources supply. It consumes 30 % less electric power in comparison with the existing analogues.
Air-actuated pumps will be also modernized. They pump out fine dust from containers where it is accumulated, and deliver it to batching lines in workshops for further production of refractories. Additional equipment will enable to loosen accumulated dust with the help of compressed air. This will result in reduction of pumping time by
2–3 times and, consequently, bring about reduction of volumes of compressed air consumption as well as of electric energy which ensures operation of pumps.Production of compressed air in a centralized system is expensive and power-intensive: up to seven compressor stations simultaneously pump compressed air into the common pipeline, from which it is transported to the consuming workshops. The distances are long and correspondingly difficulties during operation and maintenance are considerable. Under such conditions it is extremely difficult to calculate real requirements of every workshop in compressed air volumes.
The project for modernization of compressed air supply system will not only solve a wide range of environmental problems virtually in all areas of the company’s activities, but will improve efficient use of power and environmental safety of production. The comprehensive program for improvement of energy efficiency is a part and parcel of the Strategic Program of Environmental Safety for the period
2011-2020. It envisages implementation of measures aimed at more efficient use of resources in five major directions: electric power, gas, heat, water and compressed air. The total volume of investments in the framework of the Strategic Program amounts to 5 billion rubles.