| Author | Custodio, Rolando S. |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no. ET-87-15 |
| Subject(s) | Palm-oil industry--Energy conservation
|
| Note | A research study (7 credits) submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Energy conservation in industry is a major national concern. The palm
oil industry, being a fairly recent undertaking in Thailand, has not been the
subject of any energy utilization study. The research looks into the thermal
energy utilization in a palm oil mill plant in Thailand to ascertain efficiency
of thermal energy use and thereby determining potential energy conservation
measures.
An energy audit, limited to the normal approximately steady state
operation of the major thermal energy producer and users is conducted. First
and second law thermodynamic analysis are made and energy conservation
opportunities pin-pointed and analyzed. The results show that the
cogeneration system of the plant requires more steam than is needed by the
process. The analysis further shows that the use of an accumulator likewise
serving as a pressurized feedwater heater cannot fully nor economically
recover the excess steam. Energy conservation recommendations are, thus,
concentrated in improving the performance of the steam generating unit.
Despite the low cost of the fuel which is waste by - product of the process,
the study shows that energy conservation measures proposed for the steam
generating unit alone can save 34,733 GJ of energy per year. This is
equivalent, based on the valuation of the fiber fuel, to a monetary savings of
676,569 Baht which is 34 % of 1986 electricity bill of the plant. The
conservation measures analyzed are: excess air control, reduction of flue gas
temperature and reduction in fuel moisture.
The main impediments to energy conservation in the plant are the
practically zero value of the fuel and the excess low pressure steam. The
study recommends researches towards finding alternative uses for the fuel
that may increase its value, and possible ways of utilizing the excess steam. |
| Year | 1987 |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Energy Technology (ET) |
| Chairperson(s) | Bhattacharya, Sribas C. ;Prida Wibulswas
|
| Examination Committee(s) | Mora, Jean-Claude
|
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Shell International |
| Degree | Research Studies Project Report (M. Eng..) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1987 |