Energy conservation
Energy Conservation is the deliberate practice or an attempt to save electricity, fuel oil or gas or any other combustible material, to be able to put to additional use for additional productivity without spending any additional resources or money. Energy is a scarce commodity; Energy in any form is a scarce commodity and an expensive resource. During the last four decades the induction of energy efficient technologies has lead to dramatic reduction in energy usage in chemical process industries. Due to compulsions from global competition to be highly cost competitive and the awareness thereof, companies are on a drive to reduce costs. Energy consumption in Chemical Process Industries (CPI) is dependent on the products manufactured and process employed. Energy cost in caustic chlorine plant is around 60% of the manufacturing cost.
Importance
a) To reduce imports of energy and reduce the drain on foreign exchange. b) To improve exports of manufactured goods (either lower process or increased availability helping sales) or of energy, or both. c) To reduce environmental pollution per unit of industrial output - as carbon dioxide, smoke, sulphur dioxide, dust, grit or as coal mine discard for example. d) Thus reducing the costs that pollution incurs either directly as damage, or as needing, special measures to combat it once pollutants are produced. e) Generally to relieve shortage and improve development. f) Advantage in PAT scheme.