Southeastern Container, Inc.
Effingham, IL
Intern: Jaclyn Coyle
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Southeastern Container is a manufacturer of plastic bottles that are
used for Coca-Cola products. The facility is located in Effingham and
employs approximately 40 people.
The intern worked on several projects to improve lighting, compressed
air systems, roofing and other equipment at the facility.
Results:
The intern accomplished the following tasks:
- Identified several lighting efficiency projects that could save
approximately $50,000 a year, with a 4 year payback after incentives
from Ameren and EPAct 2005 tax deductions. The improvements included
replacing interior and exterior metal halides with more efficient
fluorescents with occupancy sensors as well as switching to LED
exit/emergency lighting.
- Recommended the installation of an air flow control valve in the
compressed air system. The air flow control valve would supply controlled
storage to the system, allowing it to produce stable, constant pressure to
the blow molding machines and general plant air. Identified how many times
air compressors turned on or loaded for less than a minute which would be
eliminated by an air flow controller eliminates those false starts/false
loads. Calculated annual energy savings of $110,000 based on a case study
of a similar Southeastern Container plant in Beloit, which implemented the
same air flow control valve system. The payback would take approximately
four months.
- Recommended the installation of an air make-up unit to rectify negative
air pressure of the building. The air make-up system could be set to keep
the building air pressure slightly positive and would adjust air intake
using a VFD to accommodate varying air pressure conditions in the plant as
blow molders are turned on and off.
- Suggested purchasing a cool white roofing treatment called White Knight.
The payback period would be moderate due to lack of powered air conditioning
in the plant. New roofing would decrease roof temperature in the plant and
help prevent leaks and corrosion.
- Evaluated renewable energy options. Wind and solar energy viability at the
facility were decided by solar availability in the region and mean wind speeds.
Data from nearby wind and solar project was compared to estimated startup costs.
Payback for both wind and solar systems were deemed too long to be beneficial
even with tax incentives. Renewable energy implementation could provide a good
example to the community.
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