Collaborating with AES for Enhanced Thermal Combustion: Save on Fuel Expenses, Enhance Steam Plant Productivity
In the realm of industrial efficiency, a leading specialist in steam and boiler operations and maintenance, AES, is making waves in South Africa. With a strong presence in various industries such as power generation, chemicals, pulp and paper, food and beverage, and mining, AES is at the forefront of ensuring optimal steam plant performance.
Recent multi-site engagements by AES have yielded impressive results. One plant saw a 21% reduction in fuel consumption through thermal combustion optimization alone, while another plant achieved an impressive 35% savings.
The expertise and advanced technology provided by AES play a crucial role in these improvements. By leveraging state-of-the-art monitoring and control technologies, AES enables precise adjustments of fuel-to-air ratios and real-time combustion efficiency monitoring, leading to higher fuel utilization and fewer emissions.
These optimizations result in several significant benefits. For instance, facilities can expect to reduce industrial fuel consumption by 5–20% or more, directly lowering operating costs. Improvements in combustion efficiency can range from 8–25%, translating into substantial financial savings, especially amid fluctuating fuel prices.
Moreover, outsourcing temperature and combustion optimization helps maintain emissions within increasingly stringent environmental standards. This reduces regulatory risks and potential fines through enhanced combustion control and pollutant reduction technologies like low-NOx burners.
Improved operational efficiency and maintenance are also key benefits. Optimization leads to more stable operations with fewer combustion-related issues, which can extend the lifespan of critical components and reduce maintenance costs. It also streamlines operations by achieving ideal temperature control and combustion stability, contributing to consistent steam quality and reliability.
By outsourcing, steam plant operators can concentrate internal resources on core business activities rather than investing heavily in combustion optimization technology, staff training, and ongoing tuning. Furthermore, many service providers incorporate eco-friendly practices such as integrating renewable fuels and condensing technologies that further boost thermal efficiency and reduce carbon footprint over the long term.
Dennis Williams, the Commercial Director at AES, and Gavin Evezard, the Projects Director at Associated Energy Services (AES), lead the charge in this mission. AES follows ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 standards, runs routine statutory inspections, and insists on surplus boiler capacity for maintenance without halting production.
Remote monitoring and AI help with gas- and oil-fired units, while coal systems require experienced operators to respond to fluctuating fuel quality. AES invests heavily in training and equal-opportunity development, believing that sustainable industry growth benefits both communities and the environment.
Further gains are achieved by improving condensate return, water treatment, and overall boiler-house management. AES operates more boilers than any single client and applies a proven standard across every site, passing new learnings directly.
In summary, outsourcing thermal combustion optimization results in higher combustion and thermal efficiency, lower fuel consumption, reduced emissions, cost savings, and improved operational stability for steam plants, supported by specialized expertise and advanced technologies that may be too costly or complex to manage internally.
- The energy savings from AES's optimizations in various manufacturing industries can translate into significant business benefits, such as a reduction in industrial fuel consumption by 5-20%, leading to lower operating costs.
- AES's expertise and advanced technology are key to their success in the industry, facilitating improvements in combustion efficiency that can range from 8-25%, resulting in substantial financial savings, particularly during periods of fuel price volatility.
- Outsourcing steam plant operations and maintenance to a specialized company like AES allows businesses to focus on their core activities while minimizing regulatory risks through enhanced emissions control systems like low-NOx burners.
- Beyond combustion optimization, AES's solutions also improve overall steam plant efficiency by focusing on areas such as condensate return, water treatment, and boiler-house management, thereby optimizing operational stability and steam quality.
