Energy Efficiency Improvement Technique in Industrial Cooling Tower in Large Petrochemical Complex - Case Study in Sidpec

Abstract

Abstract Decarbonization became a crucial topic in all industries especially those working in the energy sector in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the climate change threat. Energy efficiency has a significant impact on decarbonization, this was clearly announced during COP27, when the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has announced the energy efficiency strategy in Egyptian Energy Sector during one of the thematic days that was called "Decarbonization Day" and all the companies started to prepare energy efficiency improvement strategy that is aligned with the strategy of the corresponding ministry. In this paper, an integrated approach for energy efficiency improvement in industrial cooling towers to maximize process and production efficiency, a case study in Sidpec, one of the giant petrochemical plants in Egypt is introduced. The cooling tower optimization is one of the identified opportunities in the company's energy efficiency improvement roadmap which is the backbone of the company decarbonization strategy. Demand for cooling water has become more pronounced, both in winter and summer because of climate change, and a growing number of warm days which cost the industry millions of dollars annually. In this study, energy consumption issues were resolved in cooling tower in an efficient way with zero capital cost investment. A 4-step approach for improvement opportunities was applied and was supported by a developed cooling tower simulation model. This approach was successfully implemented and reached the right decision for how a cooling tower optimization and considerable cost reduction can be achieved.