Energy Efficiency Studies

Carmagen Engineering, Inc. is committed to the cause of improved energy efficiency for plants operated in the oil & gas and related industries. This commitment is more than simply a matter of good engineering; it is a dedication to sound public policy. The framework of our contribution to this cause can be summarized in these three initiatives:

• Process Considerations
• Maintenance Practices
• Technology and Design

Highlights of our energy efficiency consulting practice are noted below. Fundamental to this practice is an approach that involves four basic steps to client benefit:

• We determine precisely the existing situation and the client's needs and priorities for solution.
• We work with the client's staff in considering alternative solutions and rigorously examining the relative merits of each.
• We help identify the optimal solution and then scope the means for implementation, including cost, schedule, and resource requirements.
• We assist the client's staff as appropriate in presenting recommendations to management, and in resulting project or program work.

Initial studies are typically completed in a matter of weeks and have a very high benefit-to-cost ratio. Potential profit improvement is location specific. However, experience has demonstrated that increased profits in the range of $0.05 to $0.15 per barrel throughput are typically achievable at either no or minimal capital investment.

Process Considerations

These are some important considerations relating to the processes that run in the plant:

• Relative importance in a given plant of energy needs for
• Process heat
• Steam generation
• On-site electrical power generation
• Processes that are the best candidates for energy efficiency gains are not necessarily the most energy-intensive; throughput must also be considered
• Opportunities for energy integration among units

Maintenance Practices

These are key items in the maintenance area:

• Insulation of vessels and piping
• Instrumentation and control devices and systems

Technology and Design

These are primary points to be looked at in design of the plant:

• Elimination or substantial reduction of fouling in heat exchange equipment
• Closer process control
• Waste heat recovery

Descriptions of related parts of our engineering consulting practice can be found on other pages of this website. Use these links to see more:

• Third-Party Engineering Design Audits
• Hydroprocessing Unit Surveys
• FCCU Audits