Project Details
[Return to Previous Page]Optimizing Extrusion Cooling Water Management
Company: Atkore
Major(s):
Primary: ME
Secondary: EGEE
Optional: IE
Non-Disclosure Agreement: YES
Intellectual Property: YES
Our Atkore facilities manufacture HDPE Pipe and Conduit via a continuous extrusion process. This process melts plastic pellets with electrical and sheer heat to form a pipe with a die and vacuum sizing; once the pipe is formed, it is cooled with chilled water. We aim to reduce the carbon footprint of the extrusion process by reducing the large amount of power and tonnage needed to generate chilled water used in these operations. This project will require mechanical engineering students to perform a design simulation analysis of the cooling process in flow and temperature, energy consumption, process optimization, and a load study to determine the actual chiller demands. Additionally, it will require developing a chiller water management strategy to determine the appropriate control and system design for the chiller water system pump and compressor to reduce overall electric load and aid in the decarbonization efforts. The goal is implementing the cooling water recommendations and reduce the energy consumption on the chilled water process by approximately 10-15%. Atkore Founded in 1959 and becoming a publicly traded company in 2016, Atkore is a global company with over 5,000 employees and 76+ facilities located around the world. Recognized as a leading manufacturer of electrical, safety and infrastructure solutions, our products are used every day to power and protect the world. The Electrical segment manufactures high quality products used in the construction of electrical power systems including conduit, cable, and installation accessories. This segment serves contractors in partnership with the electrical wholesale channel. The Safety & Infrastructure segment designs and manufactures solutions including metal framing, mechanical pipe, perimeter security, and cable management for the protection and reliability of critical infrastructure. We are committed to continuously improving our corporate citizenship. The goal of Atkore’s Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) effort is to promote growth that takes into account human well-being and the environment. Through the disciplined use of the Atkore Business System, we seek to utilize sustainable business principles and processes that achieve a balance between profitability and protection of all stakeholders including our workers, customers, suppliers and communities, while reducing our impact on the environment and climate.
