Energikartläggning av industriell pulverlackering. Förstudie av energieffektiviseringsförslag Examensarbete

Abstract

A significant portion of Sweden's total energy consumption is attributed to the industry, specifically 38%. With a drastic increase in energy prices and heightened environmental demands, it should be in the interest of industrial companies to streamline and enhance their processes from both economic and environmental perspectives.

This report includes an energy mapping of Troax's powder coating operation. The energy mapping was conducted through measurements taken on the drying, curing, and primer oven during four different operational stages: normal operation, idle, startup, and measurement for low curing powder. The results indicated that substantial amounts of energy are lost in the powder coating process, with only 16% being used for heating goods under normal operation through the drying and curing oven. Simultaneously, 60% of the energy consumption is lost through ventilation, radiation from outer surfaces, and thermal leakage through openings. The heating of the load carriers accounts for the remaining energy consumption (24%).

Furthermore, a preliminary study on energy efficiency proposals has been conducted. The proposals that have been analysed from an energy perspective include low-curing powder and increased hanging density. The results showed that low-curing powder provides an energy saving of 15%, equivalent to 1 GWh annually, if it can be implemented. Since the thesis has not assessed what is achievable regarding increased hanging density, an increase of 10% in hanging density was established as a reference for increased hanging density. The results indicated that an energy saving of 8%, amounting to 0.5 GWh annually, can be obtained if the hanging density is increased by 10%. That said, the potential for savings grows with a greater increase in hanging density.

Future work is recommended to evaluate the feasibility of implementing low-curing powder as well as increasing hanging density.