Hatch wins the AQME Energia Technological Innovation Award
Controlling the pressure of a furnace is critical to maintaining energy efficiency. If the pressure is too high, the fumes coming through door seals and other openings will overheat the furnace frame and may risk the health and safety of personnel. If the pressure is too low, the cold air that penetrates the furnace reaches the temperature of the reactor, and consumes an enormous quantity of energy warming up.
The new technology, invented by Robert Voyer and developed by Hatch in Québec, makes it possible to better control casthouse furnace pressure. In a study, the team found it reduced the fuel oil consumption of the pilot furnace by 740 litres/day. This in turn resulted in fuel oil savings of 33 percent and a corresponding reduction in greenhouse gases.
Following these extraordinary results, this technology is currently being applied to other furnaces, aiming to reduce the total annual fuel oil consumption of the smelter casthouse by 1,150,000 litres/year, and consequently reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 3,150 tonnes/year.
"This type of proactive and concrete innovation, which also takes into account commissioning and delivers tangible results, is greatly appreciated by our clients," says Michel Carreau, director, energy at Hatch . "Moreover, we helped them obtain grants for the project that cover more than 65 percent of the capital."
The AQME Energia Award recognizes excellence in achievements in Québec and celebrates engineering in the area of energy efficiency relating to construction, technological innovations, industrial or manufacturing processes, transportation, integrated management and greenhouse gas emission reduction.