Kinergetics’ experience includes the application of advanced evaluation methodologies such as Pinch and Availability Analysis to identify “hidden” energy efficiency opportunities, assign practical minimum utility targets, and to assign reasonable cost to energy flows within a facility. Certain aspects of these methods are combined with practical design in a process Kinergetics calls “PseudoPinch Design.”
PseudoPinch Design was first applied during an energy investigation (2016) at an ethanol plant in the United States. Because Kinergetics has great familiarity with ethanol plant operations, identifying effective energy and process efficiency projects has never been an issue. Nevertheless, Kinergetics applied PseudoPinch Design and identified a fuel reduction of approximately 17 MMBTU/Hr in a portion of the facility.
An additional 15 MMBTU/Hr of viable capital projects were identified during the same PseudoPinch Design evaluation in other areas of the facility. This includes one (1) low-cost measure (2.6 MMBTU/Hr) implemented shortly after on-site work was completed.
While initially applied to ethanol production, PseudoPinch can be applied in any facility, including those with CHP and waste heat to power opportunities.
The relative value of low pressure steam in a paper mill. The Energy Ratio sets value based on enthalpy, and shows very little changes with temperature. The Availability Ratio shows the more correct values as the Ratio drops with temperature. The steam is worthless at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Grid diagram of an existing heat recovery network developed during application of Pseudo-Pinch at an ethanol facility. A total fuel use reduction of 32 MMBTU/Hr was identified.