Brampton, ON – Despite numerous studies outlining the benefits optimization, many industrial refrigeration operators are wary of changing decades-old settings. A project performed by GreenQ Partners at Sons Bakery in Brampton, ON, demonstrated the tremendous economic value of condensing pressure reduction: with no hardware changes energy consumption of process cooling plant has decreased by 13%. This result was determined in accordance with recommendations of the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP). The procedure included creation of statistically reliable baseline, contrary to commonly used spot measurements.
Sons Bakery operates facilities in Brampton and Calgary manufacturing buns for the Quick Service Restaurant market and Artisan breads for the retail market.
"GreenQ Partners has performed a thorough analysis to arrive with sound recommendations. Achieved savings are clearly visible and we are confident about further changes. These guys were easy to work with," – says Hasan Mustafa, Maintenance Manager of Sons Bakery.
Project results and recommendations have been approved by CLEAResult, a company contracted by IESO to validate energy savings and studies.
Deeper cost cutting through deeper changes and automation
Though achieved savings were already significant, even deeper cuts are still in plans.
"Setup of this refrigeration plant allows reduction of condensing pressure to below 100 psig, when some minor technical barriers are overcome,"- says Anatoli Naoumov, Managing Partner of GreenQ Partners. "According to our calculations, such pressure reduction will cut consumption by another 10% with minor capital investments," – he explains. VFDs on pumps and fans will reduce consumption by another 15%.
Full implementation of recommendations proposed by GreenQ Partners is expected to reduce consumption by 25% with a payback of 1.25 years prior to utility incentives and in addition to already achieved reduction.
If Product is Lost, Who Cares about Refrigerator Efficiency?
Cutting energy use is valuable, but only so long as the system fully performs its design functions and works within manufacturer-recommended specifications.
Reducing the energy consumption of a refrigeration system is never as simple as dimming or turning off lights. Along with lowering of the condensing pressure, energy use can be cut by floating condensing and suction pressures, optimizing hot gas defrosting procedure, optimizing the operating sequences of compressors, and other measures.
However, none of these measures is simple or straightforward. A deep understanding of a particular's system design and use and of refrigeration technology in general, as well as a diligent implementation of the required changes, are paramount in cutting costs and maintaining reliable operation.
For more information about this project and to find out how much energy can be saved at your refrigeration plant please visit www.greenq.ca or contact Anatoli Naoumov at anaoumov@greenq.ca.
Source: GreenQ Partners
