Automated Process Control Improves Efficiency of Energy- Intensive Heat Treatment Processes
Project Objective
The goal of this project is to demonstrate energy efficient material processing through advanced sensing, automated process monitoring and model- based controls.
Benefits to Nation
• Intelligently monitoring and controlling heat treatment processes for similar manufacturing plants would yield energy savings of 800,000 to 1,000,000 kW of power. • A reduction of energy use of only 15% could save $100,000 annually for a single heat treatment process.
Benefits to Industry
The project team deployed strategies for realizing a 15% reduction in energy consumption for thermal treatment of composite parts. The developed technologies could be adopted in aerospace, automotive, heavy equipment and any other industries that implement thermal processing for discreet part manufacturing.