The Better Plants program will deliver a VINPLT on process heating (PH) systems during February 11 to March 25, 2021. The PH VINPLT will be performed by industrial experts and Technical Account Managers using online video communication technologies. The PH VINPLT comprises seven (7) 2.5 -hour online training sessions (2-hours formal training and optional 0.5-hour Q&A) that will be delivered on every Thursday 1:00PM–3:30PM ET for seven (7) consecutive weeks. Participating in this VINPLT is free and open to all the Better Plants program partners. This VINPLT event is limited to 25 participants from 6–8 companies or facilities.
Participants will be trained on process heating fundamentals and undertaking of a system-specific energy assessment, including hands-on training on the process heating assessment module within the Manufacturing Energy Assessment Software for Utility Reduction (MEASUR) tool. To maximize the benefits from attending VINPLTs, homework assignments will be given to the participants at the end of each session and will be due by the next session. These homework assignments are designed to enhance participants’ understanding on the process heating systems, as well as to identify and quantify energy savings opportunities. During the last session of the VINPLT, participants are expected to create a summary presentation based on their assessment, present their findings, and share the scrubbed version with DOE.
At the completion of the VINPLT, Professional Development Hours (PDHs) Certificates will be prepared for the attendees on demand basis. Participants are expected to collect measurements/data from their own process heating equipment, perform an assessment, and identify energy efficiency opportunities with help from the instructors. To collect the assessment data, in some cases, diagnostic equipment will be arranged and shipped to the partners. The Better Plants diagnostic equipment are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Feb 11 to Mar 25, 2021; Every Thursday 1:00PM–3:30PM ET (2-hour formal training + optional 0.5-hour Q&A)
Week 1 – Process Heating Basics and Introduction to PH VINPLT; Feb 11, 2021
Process heating (PH) experts introduce the rationale for system-specific in-plant trainings, describe the overall process of conducting a PH VINPLTs, explain the fundamentals of PH systems, and demonstrate the pre-screening process used during the PH INPLTs. VINPLT attendees receive their 1st homework assignment on pre-screening their PH equipment based on annual energy use and energy cost.
Week 2 – PH Assessment Methodology and Hands-on Training on DOE’s MEASUR Tool; Feb 18, 2021
Training experts will provide an overview on PH assessment methodology and demonstrate the PH assessment module within DOE’s Manufacturing Energy Assessment Software for Utility Reduction (MEASUR) tool.
Week 3 – PH Diagnostic Equipment and Data Collection Form; Feb 25, 2021
Training experts will demonstrate the diagnostic equipment used during PH assessments and discuss the PH data collection form. VINPLT attendees receive their 2nd homework assignment on collecting baseline assessment data for the selected PH system identified during the pre-screening step.
Week 4 – Energy Efficiency Opportunities in Process Heating Systems; Mar 4, 2021
Training experts and VINPLT attendees review the baseline assessment data for the selected PH systems identified for the demonstration assessments. Participants provide overview on their baseline models. The experts present various methods of energy-saving measures and their applicability for the industrial PH equipment. VINPLT attendees receive their 3rd homework assignment on creating modified models within the MEASUR tool and send data files to the instructors.
Week 5 – Assessment and Analysis of MEASUR Data for Finding Opportunities; Mar 11, 2021
Training experts discuss the waste heat reduction, recycle, and recovery technologies. VINPLT attendees provide overview on their modified models and review their what if analysis and results with the PH experts. VINPLT attendees discuss the energy saving measures and their effect on energy use, present and discuss the results to the group, and complete the energy assessment by evaluating the results. VINPLT attendees receive their 4th homework assignment on creating power point slides summarizing the outcomes from PH VINPLT.
Week 6 – Process Heating VINPLT Results Discussion and Review of Final Presentations; Mar 18, 2021
With assistance from process heating experts, VINPLT attendees finalize their PH assessments within the MEASUR tool. VINPLT attendees discuss and review their results slides with assistance from PH experts. VINPLT attendees receive their 5th homework assignment on finalizing their power point slides summarizing the outcomes from PH VINPLT.
Week 7 – Process Heating VINPLT Wrap-up Presentations; Mar 25, 2021
VINPLT attendees present and discuss the results from their virtual PH assessment and complete the VINPLT by evaluating the results. VINPLT participants could invite their upper management to attend the wrap-up session. Once completed, VINPLT attendees are given a Certification of Completion from US DOE.
Sachin Nimbalkar (Process Heat Systems INPLT)
Dr. Nimbalkar is the group leader of ORNL’s Energy Efficiency Research and Analysis Group. Dr. Nimbalkar has more than ten years of professional experience which includes working as a R&D Staff at ORNL. Dr. Nimbalkar provides technical support to DOE AMO’s Better Buildings, Better Plants Partners through energy road map development, baselining analysis, in-plant trainings, field visits to investigate feasible measures to reduce process energy requirements. Dr. Nimbalkar assists AMO’s international activities through technical program management support, planning and development of tools and materials. Dr. Nimbalkar held several training workshops and webinars throughout Brazil, China, Costa Rica, India, Turkey, and covering energy efficiency in process heat systems, waste heat recovery from industrial process heating equipment and DOE’s Process Heating Assessment and Survey Tool (PHAST). Dr. Nimbalkar is actively involved in research activities in industrial process heating, waste heat management (reduce, recover, and recycle), smart manufacturing, and water-energy nexus areas. He is also conducting research in life cycle energy and emissions analysis, modeling, and projection of energy efficient technologies and innovative manufacturing processes. Dr. Nimbalkar is an active member of Sigma Xi since 2010. He has achieved the “Qualified Specialist” recognition in using three key DOE energy efficiency software tools – the Process Heating Assessment and Survey Tool (PHAST), the Pump System Assessment Tool (PSAT), and the Steam System Assessment Tool (SSAT). These are comprehensive tools used to evaluate energy savings improvements in pump, process heating, and steam systems. Dr. Nimbalkar received his PhD and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
