DUFFTOWN FIRM DELIVERS ENERGY SAVINGS OF £40,000 PER YEAR FOR MALTINGS PLANT

18 Dec 2006   A new system designed by Dufftown firm Grants has resulted in energy savings of £40,000 a year for Portgordon malting plant, Crisp Maltings.

With a capacity in excess of 40,000 tonnes, the plant has an excellent reputation for producing top quality distilling malt.

Central to its production facilities are two large 2-metre fans, which dry the malt over continuous 36-hour periods.

These were due to be replaced as part of an upgrading exercise, and in light of the fact spares were proving difficult to find, Crisp put the project for replacement out to tender.

In contrast to proposals from competitors, which basically proposed replacing the 207kW DC motors with 200kW AC machines, Grants – part of the Forsyths group of companies – developed a full turnkey motor and invertor control package for the malting fans based on energy calculations.

Stuart Duff, Grants general manager explained: “We weren’t convinced that the DC motors were running at 207kW, with subsequent calculations showing that in actual fact they were running at 142kw and were therefore operating well below par, and not at all efficiently.

“In light of this discovery, our recommendation was to employ 160kW AC motors and drives, rather than the 207kW units.”

The package supplied by Grants included two high-efficiency WEG EEF 1 machines from WEG’s W21 range, controlled by WEG CFW-09 Vectrue inverters, which were installed in enclosures by Grants.

Stuart concluded: “We are delighted with the outcome of this project, which has been proven using an energy analyser. The system highlights just what savings can be achieved by replacing old motor stock with new high efficiency machines. With energy costs at an all time high, now really is the time to invest in energy saving systems, thereby improving profitability and competitiveness.”

Grants has a long history of meeting the electrical and instrumentation needs of the malting and distilling industry.

Forsyths designs and manufactures products for discerning blue chip, distillation, petrochemical, brewing and offshore oil and gas clients across the globe. As well as its Rothes headquarters, the firm has two manufacturing facilities at Buckie. Forblast Ltd is also both part of the group.

For more information on Forsyths and its products and services call 01340 831787 or visit www.forsyths.com