Category Archives: News
Kinergetics is an Authorized Dealer of Nordfab Ducting
Kinergetics is pleased to be an authorized dealer of Nordfab Ducting. Nordfab Ducting supplies the ducting and components needed for dust collection, process ventilation and more. Visit our Products page for more information or to contact us for assistance with your ducting needs.
SPO Case Study: Isopropyl Alcohol Distillation
Kinergetics Strategic Process Optimization (SPO) is a data driven process that gives operators the tools to make manual adjustments to minimize energy use and cost without adversely impacting process operation. Statistical data analysis and artificial intelligence are used to identify variables in complex systems which have a meaningful impact on efficiency and system performance with little to no CAPEX required.
At a Midwest bio-products facility, distillation is used to produce isopropyl alcohol (IPA) that is 80-85% pure from water and other contaminants. The efficiency of the distillation column can be defined as the mass of steam required to produce a given mass of IPA. Using available process data, the baseline average process efficiency was estimated at 1.71 LBprod/LBsteam. Using the same data and Kinergetics understanding of the process, SPO was then used to develop a trained neural network to allow sensitivity testing and identification of operational variables most relevant to improve efficiency while maintaining or improving product purity.
The developed model was used to simulate column operation if the identified variables were maintained within determined optimal ranges. The projected steam reduction is 3,204 LB/Hr, corresponding to a new average efficiency of 1.72 LB/LB. The results from the sensitivity analysis are incorporated into a dashboard providing continuous feedback to operators to help ensure the savings are achieved.
The annual projected natural gas reduction is 43,970 MMBTU/Yr (84% boiler efficiency, 8,000 Hr/Yr) with a CO₂ emission reduction of 2,333 metric tons/Yr. At a fuel rate of $4.0/MMBTU, the annual cost savings is $176,000/Yr and the simple return about 6 months.
The Kinergetics SPO process involves management and operations input to help secure buy-in from those responsible for production so that they are vested in the process.
Strategic Process Optimization Strengthened by eMAT Wireless Data Collection
Strategic Process Optimization (SPO) is a data driven process that involves four steps:
- Data Mining: operational data is retrieved from facility systems by use of portable metering, and virtual metering as needed.
- Selective Data Reduction (SDR): The large amount of data retrieved is evaluated and the most relevant information retained for analysis based on project objectives.
- Statistical Data Analysis and AI: Statistical and machine based methods (artificial intelligence) are applied to SDR results to identify variables that have a meaningful impact on efficiency to develop and algorithm for process efficiency prediction.
- Operator Desktop: Working with facility E&I staff, results are integrated into a “dashboard” that presents operating efficiency “real-time” compared to what it should be. When excursions occur, corrective actions are provided that do not adversely impact operations.
In 2020, Kinergetics launched eMAT, a wireless data collection system. eMAT data is stored on a specific server at the Kinergetics office and does not require facility internet, thus poses no related concern for facility IT. eMAT can be used for portable metering or as a long term metering solution, and strengthens SPO by increasing the ease of data collection.
