Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that have a high vapour pressure at room temperature. This high pressure results from a low boiling point, which causes large numbers of molecules to evaporate or sublimate from the liquid or solid form of the compound and enter the surrounding air, a trait known as 'volatility'. For example, formaldehyde, which evaporates from paint and releases from materials like quartz, has a boiling point of only -19 °C (-2 °F).

Automation technology is driving energy efficiency trends in the process industry. A feature of this is continuous process control, which holds the operating points as close to the optimum as possible. Thereby, processes can be kept at their individual limit.

An increase in energy efficiency due to process control can be achieved by continuous energy monitoring and implementation of energy-optimised process control measures.

The following tips can help companies planning to optimise process control systems:

Distillation is a process where a mixture of different chemicals is separated using different chemical boiling temperatures. Purification of products is the main application of distillation processes.

Phase separation (e.g. distillation) is responsible for up to 50 % of the total energy demand in process-based industries. Configuring heat exchangers to minimise heat losses is one way to cut back on consumption; another is to increase the energy efficiency of the distillation plant.

Measures to achieve this include:

 Steaming ahead...

• Dairy producer tackles its inefficient steam and sterilising system on multiple fronts
• Measures result in energy savings of 1 372 000 kWh and € 62 500 in cost savings a year

An Austrian dairy food-maker requires vast quantities of steam for heating, sterilisation and preparing its long-lasting milk products. The ageing system used for steam production and operating pressure needed to be upgraded and better optimised to meet demand in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way.

Probably the best waste-prevention in...

How to lose weight... in packaging at least

Sturdy recycled PET packaging proves reliable 

• Supermarket launches trial of rPET packaging to cut food waste from damaged eggs
• The new cartons reduce egg waste, are 30 % lighter, have a 44 % lower carbon footprint 

A British supermarket chain launched a programme to tackle food waste. As part of this programme, the firm tried alternative egg boxes and managed to reduce both food and packaging waste.

Flushing toilets use vast quantities of water in the workplace. Toilets installed before 1991 typically use 9 litres per flush, while those installed after that date typically use 6-8 litres.

Cistern water-savers can be installed to reduce the volume it takes to refill each time. An example of this in the UK is the ‘Hippo water saver’, which can reduce flush volume in 9-litre cisterns by up to 3 litres, and up to 2 litres in modern (smaller) cisterns. 

Hippo state that the typical cost saving will be approximately €3 per employee/annum.

Global competition and fast changes in markets require companies to develop efficient processes and operations, and to streamline their whole value chain. The Lean methodology can be used to improve the efficiency of an organisation as a whole*.