Emissions control has become a hot topic as climate change is a major concern among industrial facility managers and those who work in industries involving carbon emissions. While no federal standard exists for emissions control outside of Environmental Protection Agency regulations, different industries have their own standards, and states also have guidelines for facilities to follow. If you’re interested in learning some simple tips to manage emissions output, check out the following:
Concentrate Gas Exhaust Pipes Using Manifolds
You may be able to reduce emissions by controlling them through routing. If you’re routing multiple pipes to a single exhaust, you can use stainless steel manifolds. It might also be a good idea to look into custom pneumatic manifolds by visiting http://www.manifoldcenter.com. The Manifold Center also works with precision miniature machined plastic parts to complete custom projects according to exacting specifications.
Using manifolds may help to reduce emissions by ensuring that all gases end up in one convenient place where the output can be remediated. This also makes the process of managing emissions more efficient as opposed to outfitting multiple exhausts with mitigation equipment.
Conduct An Emissions Audit
Most industrial facility managers are aware of the emissions being produced by their facilities each year, but in many cases, these figures are based on estimates and aging data. To get a better handle on the emissions produced by your facility, conduct an emissions audit on a regular basis to track emissions.
An emissions audit can be handled in-house or by a third party, but it should investigate how much direct carbon is being emitted by your facility as well as how much indirect carbon is being produced. Indirect carbon can be tallied by auditing contributing factors like electricity usage at your facility and transportation emissions for shipping finished goods. An emissions audit can also help you to document changes in emissions over time, and this data is crucial for any emissions reduction strategy.
Consider Material Substitutions And Process Replacements
You may also be able to manage and potentially reduce emissions more effectively by substituting materials and replacing processes. Advancements in research and technology have opened new doors for the use of both natural and synthetic materials, and new process designs allow manufacturing and industrial facilities to do more with less. When you substitute materials with a lower carbon output when processed for materials with a larger carbon footprint, you can more easily manage your emissions.
While you’re investigating the possibilities of replacing materials and reworking processes, you might also consider looking into the machinery used at your facility. Older technology often means greater emissions, but you could take this occasion to look into replacing older machines with more energy-efficient models. This could extend your carbon reduction efforts and make it easier to manage emissions.
Handle Repairs Quickly
In keeping with the above, machines that are not operating in peak condition end up yielding an efficiency loss. Over time, small amounts of waste add up, and this can result in both direct and indirect carbon production. Conducting a routine energy efficiency audit can help you to spot trouble before it becomes a big deal, and this process also allows you to make repairs or replace parts before a machine starts operating at a loss.
As an added bonus, your facility will likely see a boost in productivity by ensuring that all equipment is operating efficiently. This can also reduce repair and replacement costs since energy efficiency audits give you the chance to address concerns early.
