DID YOU KNOW 1 FOOT OF INSULATED PIPE CAN SAVE ROUGHLY 46 TREES?

The following information was obtained from an article in Insulation Outlook, written by Christopher P. Crall, published January 2009.

Insulating a bare surface can easily reduce heat losses or heat gains by 90–95%, and the need to conserve energy is obviously increasing.

Insulation has long been recognized as a LOW COST method of conserving natural resources. What is not well known is that insulation is considered one of the best sustainable technologies available. In fact, insulation can be considered effectively “greener than trees.”

As an example, consider a chemical facility that uses steam at 350°F in a manufacturing process that operates year round. The steam produced in an oil-fired boiler operating at an average efficiency of 80%. The cost of purchased fuel oil is $4/gallon. The 4-inch steam header is outdoors and insulated with 2 inches of fiberglass pipe insulation. The calculations in the following table were made using the 3E Plus® computer program developed by the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA).

BARE 4" PIPE --> Heat Loss in Btu/h/ft = 1,460; Annual Fuel Cost, $/ft/yr = 438;
Carbon Dioxide, lbs/ft/yr = 2,427

PIPE INSULATED WITH 2" FIBERGLASS --> Heat Loss in Btu/h/ft = 71; Annual Fuel Cost, $/ft/yr = 21; Carbon Dioxide, lbs/ft/yr = 118

$AVINGS --> Heat Loss in Btu/h/ft = 1,389; Annual Fuel Cost $/ft/yr = 417; Carbon Dioxide, lbs/ft/yr = 2,308

The use of the insulation has reduced heat loss from the bare pipe, on average, by 95%. The associated fuel cost has decreased by 95% for a fuel-cost savings of $417 per foot per year. This 95% reduction in fuel usage translates to a 95% reduction in CO2 emissions, a savings of 2,308 lbs. of CO2 per year!!!!

Trees are a very important part of the carbon cycle. Trees use photosynthesis to remove and store carbon from the atmosphere. So, how much CO2 is absorbed from a tree? It varies with the type of tree, its location, and its stage in the life cycle. An average derived from many sources will allow us to assume that one tree can absorb a “rough estimate” of 50 pounds of CO2 per year.

With this in mind, one would need to plant roughly 46 trees to achieve the same CO2 regulations achievable by insulation of 1 foot of 350°F pipe!!!!

To find out more about how you can start saving energy costs through the application of SpeedWrap pipe insulation, please visit: http://www.marspec.com/speedwrap.pdf. Marspec customers have reported a simple payback of 10 weeks or less!!!

Greener and Cheaper

The following information was obtained from an article in the Wall Street Journal, by ALAN G. ROBINSON and DEAN M. SCHROEDER, published March 23, 2009:

For years the conventional wisdom was: if you improved quality, costs would also rise. But then companies discovered the opposite of this was true: by redesigning processes--reducing mistakes, doing things right the first time--companies could provide better products and services AND cut costs!

Living in the time of economic and energy crises, it's time to learn this lesson all over again, as it applies to going green.

Regardless of what many companies think--that improving their energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact is a "great" idea, but impractical due to the cost--businesses CAN go green and lower costs at the same time. No one disputes that it's expensive to cap smokestacks and process hazardous waste. But as the earlier lesson suggests, the focus shouldn't be on cleaning up and its costs -- the focus should be on creating less mess to begin with.

To see examples of how re-engineering processes with green principles and greater efficiency in mind can not only improve a company's standing with nature, but increase its profits and give it competitive advantages as well, please visit Marspec's customer success stories.

Alabama's Federal Stimulus Package

I am very pleased to see the state of Alabama has set up a new Website with more information about the federal stimulus law! The new website, found at http://www.stimulus.alabama.gov/ will allow Alabamians to track the stimulus dollars that are spent in the state. Alabama is expected to receive $3 billion in stimulus money for the following programs: local government, business, education & research, nonprofits, and individuals. The Website also includes a link for "FAQs" and "Resources." The Website will soon have a feature that allows organizations and individuals to submit proposals for the use of stimulus funds. Submitted proposals will be reviewed to see who may qualify for funding. “My administration is committed to making sure Alabama carries out its responsibilities under this law with full transparency and accountability. With this website, we will keep the public informed about every dollar coming to Alabama, where it goes and how it is spent,” Governor Riley said.

KUDOS for Marspec!

“We chose Marspec Technical Products as one of our suppliers due to their technical expertise and energy saving ideas, products and services. Our facility currently uses Miura boilers and TLV steam equipment. The vertical tube Miura boilers have proven to be fuel efficient and reduced our energy costs; the advanced TLV steam equipment has enabled us to better control our processes. We are very pleased with the Miura boiler design as it has proven to be the most efficient in the industry. I have recommended Miura boilers to another food processing plant and would also recommend it to anyone in the industry looking to gain a competitive edge and save on energy costs.”

David Smith, VP Technology
Diversified Foods and Seasonings
dsmith@diversified-foods.com

Accolades for Marspec and Wayne Hoggle

“It is often said that a company is known by its people and such a case exists with Wayne Hoggle, CEM, CSDP, of Marspec Technical Products. I work closely with him to serve my assigned customer base of various manufacturing companies in the rubber, plastic and automotive industries. My purpose in introducing my customer contacts to Hoggle is to connect them with his experience. I have depended on Hoggle for his technical expertise and product lines for years now. My customers and I have been very pleased with Hoggle and Marspec’s performance as they seek the same level of customer satisfaction that we at the Alabama Power Company strive for. Reliable, dependable, honest, customer-oriented, and experienced are just some of the words to describe Hoggle and Marspec. My trust in Hoggle means if he says it is so; it is so. With a proven record of performance and cost savings ideas and products, I recommend any company desirous of a competitive advantage to work with Wayne Hoggle and Marspec Technical Products.”

Mike Bradshaw, Major Account Manager
Alabama Power Company
Rubber, Plastics, Automotive

Marspec Hosting Technical Seminars on Indoor Air Quality and Energy Recovery

(Mobile, AL) – Process, steam, and green equipment supplier, Marspec Technical Products, announced plans to host two seminars on indoor air quality and energy recovery.

The seminars will be presented by Mr. Klas Haglid, PE, on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 in Tuscaloosa, AL and Wednesday March 4, 2009 in Birmingham, AL. Mr. Klas Haglid, PE is the President/CEO of Haglid Engineering Inc. and founder of BPE (Building Performance Equipment) Air to Air Energy Recovery Ventilation Systems. Mr. Haglid is past Chairman of ASHRAE Technical Committee 5.5 Air to Air Energy Recovery and past Chairman of ASHRAE Technical Committee 7.8 Owning and Operating Costs. Mr. Haglid holds a number of patents for systems combining energy recovery devices with innovative controls for building performance improvement.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) standards have been in affect for years, but only recently has the importance of meeting IAQ standards been regarded in the context of energy recovery in HVAC systems. This has raised some interesting questions:

-->Are energy costs of compliance to ASHRAE 62.1 being considered during the building design process?

-->With the prospects of increased fuel and energy costs, how do users limit usage during peak load periods in summer and winter?

-->Does compliance to IAQ standards require additional heating or cooling capacity in existing buildings?

-->How will Congress’ recent economic stimulus package affect industrial and institutional construction with its emphasis on energy and the environment?

-->How can facilities designers and operators recover lost energy while meeting IAQ standards?

-->What technologies exist to recover lost energy in HVAC systems, and how efficient are they?

These and many other important questions concerning these issues will be addressed in detail at the upcoming seminars. Other topics covered will focus on issues of ASHRAE 62.1 compliance and energy recovery, and will cover the following topics:

-->Introduction to IAQ Standards

-->Understanding ASHRAE 62.1-2004

-->IAQ Effects on Energy Usage

-->Air to Air Heat Transfer Technologies

The seminars are designed for the purpose of creating awareness of the energy savings that can be achieved through IAQ and Energy Recovery. Professionals who would benefit from the seminars are Facility Managers and Directors, Facility Engineers, HVAC Professionals, Consulting Engineers, Building Owners & Operators, Government Agency Representatives, School District Representatives, Utility Representatives, and Energy Service Providers.

Space is limited, and registrations will be limited to the first 25 respondents to each seminar. The seminars include lunch and are absolutely free of charge for those who attend. CEU credits are available for those applicable.

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MARSPEC TECHNICAL PRODUCTS is service-driven supplier of steam specialty and energy efficiency products, energy consultation services, heat recovery services and equipment, and corrosives conveying and flow control. Marspec currently has offices or representatives in Mobile, AL, Brewton, AL, Cullman, AL, Birmingham AL, Pensacola, FL and Columbus, MS.

For more information about MARSPEC TECHNICAL PRODUCTS, visit www.marspec.com or call Michelle toll-free 1-800-233-1394.

ASHRAE/AIRAH Issue Joint Resolution on Climate Change

Use of renewable energy, education of the building industry and responsible refrigerant use are encouraged in a new joint statement on climate change issue by ASHRAE and the Australian Institute of Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH). By signing the statement, ASHRAE and AIRAH resolve to:

-->Support research and development activities designed to reduce buildings’ energy use and greenhouse gas emissions

-->Educate building owners, operators, users, designers, and constructors on the importance of building energy efficiency, corresponding climate change impact, and proper operations and maintenance measures

-->Encourage the supply of renewable energy into buildings and building engineering systems when economically feasible

-->Develop and implement sustainable building designs, materials, components, systems, and processes that minimize environmental impacts, including climate change, while maintaining indoor environmental quality

-->Provide advice, information, and assistance to governments and other influential bodies on energy efficiency and climate change emissions in both new and existing buildings

-->Encourage responsible refrigerant use, including emissions reduction strategies and technologies and encourage development of energy efficient refrigerants with low or zero global warming potential

-->Support the development and implementation of standards, building codes, incentive programs, and voluntary initiatives aimed at reducing building environmental impacts

-->Implement holistic and coordinated approaches to identifying and resolving environmental issues at all stages of a building’s life cycle—from conception, design, and construction through operation, maintenance, refurbishment, and deconstruction

For the complete article or more information, please contact: Contact: Jodi Dunlop, Public Relations, ASHRAE, 678-539-1140, jdunlop@ashrae.org