Woodward Governor
Rockford, Illinois
Intern: Jeff Schuurman
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb
Woodward Governor designs, manufactures, and services energy control systems
and components for aircraft and industrial engines and turbines. These products
and services are used in the power generation, transportation and aerospace
markets.
The intern worked on a wide assortment of projects.
Results:
The intern:
- Investigated the use of reusable absorbents to soak up oils and other
lubricants on the production floors. The reusable option did not prove
to be cost-effective. It also created slippery workplace conditions.
Disposable absorbents will continue to be applied.
- Completed a lighting survey of the manufacturing floor. The intern made
the following recommendations:
- Retrofit T-12 fluorescent light fixtures to T-8s with electronic
ballasts. This project has the potential to save over $35,000 annually.
- Convert emergency exit signs from incandescent lights to LED technology.
Over $1,300 could be saved on reduced maintenance and energy costs.
- Evaluated strategies to achieve zero discharge at the wastewater treatment
center (WWT). The intern investigated the possibility of reusing the treated
water in the three scrubbing systems. Currently the WWT discharges 500 gallons
of treated water per hour to the local sewer. The scrubbers consume a total of
300 gallons per hour. The extra water would need to be temporarily stored in a
2,500 gallon tank. This project would have a payback period of 7-9 years; making
it less attractive compared to other environmental improvement opportunities.
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