Air, a much-used "free" utility in processing plants, still requires substantial amounts of money to run compressors and fans. Often, however, sizable savings are possible — for instance, one plant saved $500,000/year, as a success story from the U.S. Department of Energy illustrates.
Solutia produces a full range of nylon products at its Greenwood, S.C., plant. The vertically integrated facility operated four separate compressed air systems, each with its own pressure level (225, 120, 115, and 90 psig) and dedicated compressors, controls and air treatment equipment.