In “Does Waste Heat Recovery Make 'Cents'?,” Eric A. Kessler of Clayton Industries, El Monte, Calif., explains how industries that utilize large quantities of fuel and electricity to produce process heat -- and the concomitant large amounts of exhaust heat -- can use waste heat recovery. In process heating, using waste heat will displace a portion of the fuel or electricity that would otherwise be purchased.

John Clarke of Diamond Engineering Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind., continues his “Combustion Management Series” begun in the May 2004 issue with “Create a Process Heating Equipment Improvement Plan.” In the first article in this series, Clarke outlined areas of process heating equipment performance that contribute to an organization's bottom line. In this issue, he shows how measuring the performance of the equipment you currently use will help identify opportunities to save money and improve equipment safety.

Another effective way to reduce energy consumption is to minimize heat losses. Effective insulation goes a long way toward minimizing losses, particularly in high temperature applications. In “Temperature's Rising,” Robin DeGraff and Mike Irlbacher of Extol, Norwalk, Ohio, challenge the notion that effective insulation is an unnecessary expense and provide an analysis of insulation options. After reading this, you may realize how much not be able to “afford good insulation” is costing you.

In “Valve Selection for Process Heating,” Stephan Mock of Krom-

schroder Inc., Hudson, Ohio, helps you understand what kind of valve to use where, as well as the applicable safety standards for your process equipment. Having this knowledge will help you select a combustion control system that will operate effectively, reliably and safely.

Also in this issue, “Refining Refinery Heating,” a case history from BP Amoco Texas City, Texas City, Texas, shows how sulfur recovery operations at one refinery were improved by using bolt-on heat tracing systems from Controls Southeast Inc., Charlotte, N.C. In sulfur recovery operations, insufficient heat or piping failures in the transport of liquid sulfur or sulfur vapor compounds create safety hazards, environmental problems and productions chokes.

Should your be involved in finishing operations, you may be just beginning to make plans to attend Powder Coating 2004. For an overview of all things process heating related at the show, including a list of exhibitors showing heat processing equipment such as ovens,

dryers, infrared heaters and combustion controls, turn to “Focus on What Powder Coating Can Do For You.”

Finally, we offer you a chance to get to know heat processing equipment suppliers with our annual “Corporate Profiles.” Consult this special section to target experienced manufacturers who can help you take the ideas you read in this Energy Issue and put them in place at your plant.

Linda Becker
Editor and Associate Publisher
BeckerL@bnpmedia.com