MCINTYRE, GA - BASF is implementing a broad array of energy-saving projects at the company’s kaolin clay mine and processing facility in McIntyre, GA. The projects are expected to decrease annual energy consumption in total by roughly 1,322 billion BTUs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 130,000 tons per year of CO2 equivalents.
Phase one investment projects, completed in 2007, decreased electrical consumption for compressed-air usage and cut heating needs by reducing the water content of process slurries, improving insulation on process equipment and providing alternative processing steps. Taken together, these actions lowered energy consumption by roughly 582 billion BTUs per year, achieving a CO2 equivalent emissions reduction of roughly 57,275 tons on an annual basis.
Phase one investment projects, completed in 2007, decreased electrical consumption for compressed-air usage and cut heating needs by reducing the water content of process slurries, improving insulation on process equipment and providing alternative processing steps. Taken together, these actions lowered energy consumption by roughly 582 billion BTUs per year, achieving a CO2 equivalent emissions reduction of roughly 57,275 tons on an annual basis.
Phase two projects will focus on process improvements to centrifugation, spray drying and calcining operations, kaolin yield improvements, improvement of burner firing systems, as well as additional heat-recovery efforts. BASF expects the additional improvements to reduce energy consumption by roughly 740 BTUs per year, equivalent to the combustion of roughly 6.5 million gallons of gasoline.
