As reported by ScienceDirect in their article “Energy Efficient Washers and Ovens for the Metal Finishing Industry,” increased sustainability in manufacturing has become an economic and environmental imperative. Over the last few decades, the finishing industry has made improvements in surface preparation process technologies such as low-temperature cleaners, phosphorus-free pretreatments, and the elimination of chromium sealers, as well as in coating process technologies like low-temperature powder coatings. However, the industry has lagged in advancements to equipment technologies.
The new washer concept uses significantly less spray volume, provides improved impingement of cleaners, and delivers better coverage of surface preparation chemistry. The new oven concept offers notably improved temperature uniformity and heat transfer rates with lower power input. Three case studies are examined to contrast conventional paint system design versus the new concepts. Best-practice design criteria were used to size both the conventional and the new concept systems. Each of the three case studies eventually built using the new technology examines the substantially reduced energy usage and carbon emissions of these new technologies. The new equipment technologies are projected to save an average of 55% in electrical consumption and 38% in natural gas consumption.
These innovations represent a significant step forward in the finishing industry’s pursuit of greater sustainability. By adopting these advanced washer and oven technologies, manufacturers can not only reduce their environmental impact but also achieve substantial cost savings.
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Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of sciencedirect.com