Close to the theoretical Minimum

Because of concerns about today’s energy prices, as well as energy prices expected in the future, more and more attention is being paid in the case of extraction plants to measures that can be undertaken to increase energy efficiency. An important area in terms of optimization potential is above all the reduction of operating costs within the production process.

The energy requirement of an extraction plant is largely determined and expressed by the (mathematical) product of the flow rate times the pressure increase of the fan unit. The goal must be to minimize this product. From a process-engineering standpoint, the required flow rate is more or less predetermined. Therefore, the approach to savings focuses on minimizing the total pressure loss of the plant, which consists of the sum of machine resistance, pressure losses in straight pipe sections, and pressure losses from molded components like elbows, bends, control flaps, etc.

Conducted in cooperation with the FH Rosenheim, School for Wood Technology, a project called “Modern Extraction Systems” resulted in findings that confirmed how significantly the careful consideration and weighting of a multitude of influencing variables can impact the specification of the proper extraction system.

With due consideration given to all influencing variables and depending on the application and operational requirements, each of the extraction systems offered by Scheuch — whether a group extraction system (over-pressure – under-pressure) or the patented SEPAS system — has its own economic advantages.

The SEPAS system performs especially well in applications where operating loads fluctuate because of its ability to automatically adjust to the volume of air. Testing and calculations performed by the FH Rosenheim confirm that the SEPAS system operates close to the “theoretical minimum”.
Compared to multi-pipe systems, the inherent advantages and the latest ηmaxengineering and control measures make SEPAS-Plus the superior extraction system for the furniture industry.

The impact is particularly strong with respect to annual operating costs, which calculations show can be lowered as follows:

• 23% lower energy costs for the single-pipe system
  with its patented activation system in comparison to multi-pipe systems using under-pressure control systems.
  
  Savings per year: € 1,340.00 (Extraction plant dimensioned for 35,000 m³/h
  
  
• 25% reduction in building heating costs
  through automatic control and metering of the return airflow as a function of the outside temperature.
  
  Savings per year: € 3,975.00 (Extraction plant dimensioned for 100,000 m³/h