Wedge Group Galvanizing has saved around 15% on gas, reduced emissions and achieved a payback time of 4 to 10 months after installing innovative firing technology for molten metal baths.
The supplier, Hasco-Thermic Ltd has also been shortlisted in the Innovation Champion category of the Engineering Matters Awards for its development.
Hasco Smart Firing technology is a retrofittable system, designed using the latest data and analytical techniques to reduce energy usage and extend the lifespan of the kettles and heat exchanger by transitioning collective burner control to independent regulation.
Their company’s Managing Director, Angela Curtis, said: “When we first came up with the original idea of Smart Firing, we hadn’t fully appreciated the real benefits it would bring – from improving productivity and performance through to significant cost savings and ease of use. We’re proud to report that they’re much higher than we anticipated, and we’re delighted that these significant results have been recognised by the team at Engineering Matters.
“Our Smart Firing technology has been under development for the past eight years. Replacing and updating traditional burner control practises that have been in place for decades, this new philosophy allows the furnace to respond precisely to real-time heat demand and conditions, leading the way in efficiency and sustainability. Two major objectives of all forward-thinking businesses right now.”
Wedge Group Galvanizing, the UK’s largest galvanizing company, has been the first to implement this pioneering technology by gradually introducing it across its 14 nationwide plants.
David Nobes, Technical Services Director at Wedge Group Galvanizing said: “After introducing Hasco-Thermic’s Smart Firing, we’ve reported an average 15% saving on gas, and this is providing a payback of between four to 10 months. Not to mention the reduction in carbon emissions, which is a significant step in our progress towards our ultimate objective to become a net zero business.
“It’s fantastic that this pioneering technology has been recognised in the annual Engineering Matters Awards. It’s made impressive improvements to our business, and we hope that many other companies across the globe (in both the galvanizing and the wider metals sector) will also adopt this revolutionary process. We wish Hasco-Thermic the very best of luck for the final.”
Winners will be announced at the Engineering Matters Awards presentation, which is set to be held on 28 March 2024.