Electrical energy management and cogeneration system planning in a wood working industry in Thailand | |
| Author | Ghias, Babar |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no. ET-91-03 |
| Subject(s) | Cogeneration of Electric power and heat Woodworking industries--Thailand Electric power consumption |
| Note | A research study (12 credits) submitted in the partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Engineering |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | This research report concerns energy management in ACME Furniture Plant, a wood working industry, in Thailand. Average annual energy consumption in the factory is ≈ 2400 MWh, average monthly peak demand is ≈ 1200 kW, and average steam requirement ≈ 1.5 tons/hr. Annual electricity bill is just under 6.0 Million Baht. Energy conservation in the factory is achieved by reducing overall energy consumption through; power factor improvement, motor load management (MLM), transformer load management (TLM), improvements in compressed air system operation, and rescheduling opportunities in the plant. For peak demand management, in addition to the identified load shedding potential, two other load shed options are also suggested. They are: (a) air storage tank for the compressors, (b) motor controllers for dust collectors A computer model was developed to study cogeneration feasibility, with the factory's wood waste as boiler fuel. Preliminary study and sensitivity analysis shown that due to very low thermal demand of the factory only extraction condensing steam turbine cogeneration system could be considered as a possible candidate with the available technology of small scale industrial turbines and the amount of wood waste available in the factory. Overall economics of the project are found to be attractive if the capacity utilization factor is kept to highest possible level. Energy conservation through production planning is deemed another very promising prospect because of the nature of work on the machines in the factory. Energy conservation by using energy efficient spraying method (Hot Spray), in place of conventional spraying method (Cold Spray), also identified as future energy saving potential. Comprehensive audit results identified the following anticipated and possible potential for monetary savings in the factory: POTENTIAL AREA: (1) Power Factor Improvement (2) Transformer Loss Reduction (3) Motor Load Management (4) Main Conveyor line Rescheduling (5) Compressed Air System (6) Peak Demand Control (kW+kWh) (7) Job Sequencing and Scheduling (8) Cogeneration ANTICIPATED MONETARY SAVING: 264,000 Baht/year 38,073 Baht/year 151,751 Baht/year 127,083 Baht/year 62,937 Baht/year 1,077,864 Baht/year Significant Avg. 7,000,000 Baht/year PAY BACK PERIOD: < 1-1.3 years Immediate < 1 year Immediate Immediate 2-3 years (*) Immediate < 3.5 years * Anticipated Total theoretical saving (items 1-7), is-estimated to be about 1.7 Million Baht per year which is more than 28% of the total annual electricity bill of the factory. However, in actual practice 60-80% of the theoretical value saving could be anticipated. It may be concluded that considerable energy saving potential exists in the factory and could be easily implemented with the available technology. |
| Year | 1991 |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Energy Technology (ET) |
| Chairperson(s) | Khin Bo; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Bhattacharya, Sribas C.;Surapong Chirarattananon; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | DAAD; |
| Degree | Research Studies Project Report (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1991 |