Sustainable energy transition: A steam system optimization case study from a Moroccan food industry

Industrial steam systems account for approximately 30 % of energy use in the manufacturing industry worldwide. In the context of energy transition, improving the energy efficiency of these systems is crucial, as it can significantly reduce energy losses, costs, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Th...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Kawtar Ibn Batouta, Sarah Aouhassi, Khalifa Mansouri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Results in Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S259012302401199X
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850121786046283776
author Kawtar Ibn Batouta
Sarah Aouhassi
Khalifa Mansouri
author_facet Kawtar Ibn Batouta
Sarah Aouhassi
Khalifa Mansouri
author_sort Kawtar Ibn Batouta
collection DOAJ
description Industrial steam systems account for approximately 30 % of energy use in the manufacturing industry worldwide. In the context of energy transition, improving the energy efficiency of these systems is crucial, as it can significantly reduce energy losses, costs, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the steam system in a Moroccan agri-food plant, aiming to identify and quantify energy optimization opportunities. Initially, the Steam System Scoping Tool (SSST) benchmark revealed a score of 42.4 %, highlighting key areas for improvement. The study proceeded by diagnosing and modeling the baseline steam system, identifying major energy losses based on thermodynamic equations and Manufacturing Energy Assessment Software for Utility Reduction (MEASUR). Our study distinctively employs a systems-based approach, proposing eight energy-saving measures that holistically address all aspects of the steam system —generation, distribution, end-use, and recovery—rather than examining each component in isolation. These measures include optimizing boiler combustion, repairing insulation and leaks, reducing idle operations, and enhancing heat recovery through a feedwater economizer. Implementing these measures is projected to achieve annual energy savings of 5096 GJ, reduce CO2 emissions by 319 tons, and save $93,764, representing a 53 % reduction in the plant's thermal bill. This significant cost-saving potential should inspire optimism about the financial benefits of energy optimization, with payback periods ranging from immediate to a few months. This research marks a pioneering effort in Morocco's industrial sector, offering a replicable model that aligns with global sustainable development goals (SDGs) by reducing energy losses and enhancing production performance.
format Article
id doaj-art-07d375d1153e4186820f06e5edb039e2
institution OA Journals
issn 2590-1230
language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Results in Engineering
spelling doaj-art-07d375d1153e4186820f06e5edb039e22025-08-20T02:35:00ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302024-12-012410294410.1016/j.rineng.2024.102944Sustainable energy transition: A steam system optimization case study from a Moroccan food industryKawtar Ibn Batouta0Sarah Aouhassi1Khalifa Mansouri2Corresponding author.; Laboratory of Modelling and simulation of intelligent industrial systems (M2S2I), École Normale Supérieure de l’Enseignement Technique (ENSET), Mohammedia, Hassan II University, 20000, Casablanca, MoroccoLaboratory of Modelling and simulation of intelligent industrial systems (M2S2I), École Normale Supérieure de l’Enseignement Technique (ENSET), Mohammedia, Hassan II University, 20000, Casablanca, MoroccoLaboratory of Modelling and simulation of intelligent industrial systems (M2S2I), École Normale Supérieure de l’Enseignement Technique (ENSET), Mohammedia, Hassan II University, 20000, Casablanca, MoroccoIndustrial steam systems account for approximately 30 % of energy use in the manufacturing industry worldwide. In the context of energy transition, improving the energy efficiency of these systems is crucial, as it can significantly reduce energy losses, costs, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the steam system in a Moroccan agri-food plant, aiming to identify and quantify energy optimization opportunities. Initially, the Steam System Scoping Tool (SSST) benchmark revealed a score of 42.4 %, highlighting key areas for improvement. The study proceeded by diagnosing and modeling the baseline steam system, identifying major energy losses based on thermodynamic equations and Manufacturing Energy Assessment Software for Utility Reduction (MEASUR). Our study distinctively employs a systems-based approach, proposing eight energy-saving measures that holistically address all aspects of the steam system —generation, distribution, end-use, and recovery—rather than examining each component in isolation. These measures include optimizing boiler combustion, repairing insulation and leaks, reducing idle operations, and enhancing heat recovery through a feedwater economizer. Implementing these measures is projected to achieve annual energy savings of 5096 GJ, reduce CO2 emissions by 319 tons, and save $93,764, representing a 53 % reduction in the plant's thermal bill. This significant cost-saving potential should inspire optimism about the financial benefits of energy optimization, with payback periods ranging from immediate to a few months. This research marks a pioneering effort in Morocco's industrial sector, offering a replicable model that aligns with global sustainable development goals (SDGs) by reducing energy losses and enhancing production performance.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S259012302401199XAgri-food industrySteam system optimizationEnergy transitionSustainable developmentEnergy efficiency
spellingShingle Kawtar Ibn Batouta
Sarah Aouhassi
Khalifa Mansouri
Sustainable energy transition: A steam system optimization case study from a Moroccan food industry
Results in Engineering
Agri-food industry
Steam system optimization
Energy transition
Sustainable development
Energy efficiency
title Sustainable energy transition: A steam system optimization case study from a Moroccan food industry
title_full Sustainable energy transition: A steam system optimization case study from a Moroccan food industry
title_fullStr Sustainable energy transition: A steam system optimization case study from a Moroccan food industry
title_full_unstemmed Sustainable energy transition: A steam system optimization case study from a Moroccan food industry
title_short Sustainable energy transition: A steam system optimization case study from a Moroccan food industry
title_sort sustainable energy transition a steam system optimization case study from a moroccan food industry
topic Agri-food industry
Steam system optimization
Energy transition
Sustainable development
Energy efficiency
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S259012302401199X
work_keys_str_mv AT kawtaribnbatouta sustainableenergytransitionasteamsystemoptimizationcasestudyfromamoroccanfoodindustry
AT sarahaouhassi sustainableenergytransitionasteamsystemoptimizationcasestudyfromamoroccanfoodindustry
AT khalifamansouri sustainableenergytransitionasteamsystemoptimizationcasestudyfromamoroccanfoodindustry