The Problem
A Georgia-based adhesive manufacturing company approached Relatherm Heat Transfer Fluid with an ambitious energy savings goal. They wanted to save on energy usage in their jacketed reactor that utilized heat transfer oil. The inspiration for this project was skyrocketing energy prices and the manufacturer’s desire to reduce its carbon footprint. Their reactor was already insulated, and the heater optimized for maximum energy savings, but they were still short of their goal by 15%. The fluid used is a mineral-oil based heat transfer fluid.
The Solution
The Thermal Fluid Engineers at Relatherm discussed the general process and mechanical schematics of the plant and unit operation in question. We carried out basic heat transfer calculation to determine the optimal heat capacity and thermal conductivity of an ideal heat transfer fluid that was consistent with the energy savings goals of the manufacturer. This process led to the choice of Relatherm HT-3, a high temperature thermal fluid with optimal physical properties. In comparison to the existing solution, Relatherm HT-3 had superior thermal and physical properties.
The Outcome
The deployment of Relatherm HT-3 in the jacketed reactor caused energy usage to drop by 22%. This massive gain in energy savings translated into a lower energy bill and increased profitability . The outcome exceeded the manufacturer’s expectation and motivated them to consider Relatherm Heat Transfer Fluid for other kettles at their facility.