Overview
RB Group partners a global leader in advanced materials to deliver major operational cost savings of £100,000pa resulting in rapid payback as well as hitting their compliance and sustainability goals.
Background
- Zotefoams, a global leader in production of cellular and foam based materials engaged RB Plant in a collaborative exercise to review their steam system and energy usage against recognized standards including BG01 a guidance document on the “Safe operation of boilers”.
- This led to a list of prospective schemes which would not only achieve full compliance with the standardsbut also harness cost saving opportunities.
- RB Plant had already completed several engineering related projects successfully on the Croydon site however this one particularly called for innovative approaches.
Challenges: commercial
Sanctioning
With project sanctioning and funding requiring very stringent criteria in todays’ competitive market, RB Plant knew from the start that any proposed scheme put forward would have to stand up to scrutiny to justify approval for implementation.
Feasibility Budget
RB Plant also had a limited budget within which to complete this feasibility therefore to minimize engineering fees and keep project milestones on track, RB Plant:
- Harvested key data from existing site/supplier documents within a very short timeframe.
- Applied industry norms and RB Plant cost data from previoussimilar projects to provide cost accuracy to +/- 30%.
Challenges: technical
Identified system vulnerabilities/opportunities
- Feedwater 100% conditioned with chemicals hence excessive cost
- Feedwater tank had no deaerator hence accelerated corrosion of pipes and boiler internal walls
- Manual control of solids levels wasting water and energy
- Risk of overheating the fire tubes, resulting in tube failure
- Non-compliance with BG01 with H&S Executive Guidance Note PM60/BG03
The solution
Having previously completed similar projects successfully for other manufacturers, RB Plant already had the benefit of a proven methodology which could be readily adapted to meet Zotefoams' goals.
Criteria earmarked included:
- Technical scope
- Justification – e.g. compliance and/or operating cost savings by reducing chemical/ water/ energy usage
- Capital cost
- Financial payback per annum
This enabled Zotefoams to prioritise the most lucrative schemes thereby making the case stronger when applying for capital funding to execute the projects.
The benefit
In total 7 schemes were earmarked and evaluated by RB Plant which achieved the following:
- Improved water quality and reduced tube corrosion
- Reduced chemical/energy/water operating costs
All 7 schemes approved by Zotefoams for implementation due to the robustness of each case. Four of the major schemes included:
- New boiler water feed tank with deaerator head Boiler burner upgrade
- Reverse Osmosis plant
The outcome and end result
During the first year following start-up, £100K/yr estimated total operating cost savings were recorded which at this rate would result in a payback period < 3 years.
