IPEX Inc.

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The situation

For IPEX, energy conservation is part of its corporate Sustainable Energy Management Program (SEMP).

IPEX Inc. designs and manufacturers one of the world's largest and most diverse lines of integrated thermoplastic piping systems. By looking "outside the box" for energy efficiency opportunities at its Langley plant, IPEX found a key opportunity for improvement in the water cooling system.

IPEX needs process water at 15°C (60°F) for its manufacturing process, but was incurring high energy costs to cool plant process water.

The solution

• Implemented a major process water cooling optimization project
• Added heat exchangers and a cooling tower to the existing cooling system
• Installed a new DDC controller, which directs water through either the cooling towers or the heat exchangers to achieve the desired temperature.

The benefits

Annual energy savings: 1.068 GWh
Annual cost savings: $55,000

Not only does the new system significantly reduce energy use, it has increased productivity, improved IPEX's environmental performance and minimized the need for additional water from the municipality. Now there is increased line capacity and adequate cooling for future plant expansion.