Foreword

The implementation of ISO 16001 Energy Management Standard is a significant milestone in Camfil Farr’s evolution. As a company that has always promoted green air filter systems through continuous development of low energy air filter solutions by design and using application knowledge for over 40 years, we need to embrace the standard within our own manufacturing activities and strive to promote it in our supplier and customer base.

Background

Camfil Farr is the world leader in the production and development of air filters and clean air solutions. As global air filtration specialists we operate out of 22 production plants and 4 R&D centres in the Americas, Europe and the Asia Pacific region.  We are a Swedish based group formed over 40 years ago and currently employ over 2700 employees generating sales approaching 5 billion SEK (400m GBP)

We operate in markets as diverse as Commercial Buildings through Automotive, Rail, Facilities Management, Gas Turbine, Hospitals, Pharmaceutical, Food and Beverage, Safety Cabinets, Microelectronics and Nuclear.

Energy management at Camfil Farr , Haslingden  UK

Camfil has operated a lean culture throughout its operations in the UK for several years . This involves the whole business operation including manufacturing , logistics , services and external sales. A natural part or extension to this embraced energy management over last two years and has already made significant reductions in energy consumption .  The process of accreditation will document , resource and create a forward strategy in energy management , further reducing our energy impact  and the inherent co₂ savings that ensue.

As a manufacturer that creates product that then has a purpose that affects the consumption of energy within air handling units the ultimate “Carbon footprint “ of the product is magnified by factor way in excess of its manufacturing footprint. So the biggest challenge is to promote, educate and ultimately influence the current protocols within the industry.

Energy management and the impact of “low energy air filters”

The functionality an air handling unit.

The air handling unit cleans heats and cools the air and delivers it to the air conditioned space. The energy consumed within the air handling unit is consumed through the fan motor. The components within the Air handling unit present a resistance to the fan motor which in turn consumes energy. These components are air filters, ducting, heating and cooling coils. As the fan motor pulls the air though these components it expends more energy than if it was an empty box. So it the resistance on these components could be reduced over their life cycle then energy consumption would be reduced. With the exception of air filters all the other components are fitted in manufacturing to last the life of the asset. Air filters however are designed to be changed and replaced at regular intervals; they also consume 30% of the systems energy and therefore are the least expensive method of improving energy efficiency without invasive capital cost.

An example of a typical Air handling Unit.

A typical air handling unit handling 10m/3 of air per second would have 10 air filter sets. The energy needed to drive the air through the air filters continuously running would be 50,000 KwH or £5000 or £500 per filter set. The next time air filters are changed to Low energy air filters the consumption would reduce to 35,000 KwH or £3500 or £350 per filter set. Typically the saving on energy is 10 times the cost of buying the low energy air filter and payback is in weeks.

Potential Scope for reducing consumption

There are estimated to be 1.2 million air filter sets installed in the London area, making a potential saving of 180 million pounds each year and every year by installing low energy air filters.

So when it comes to energy strategy less is more

• Reduce time equipment is on
• Install low energy air filters
• Use the savings to fund larger capital works
• Use the Energy Technology List
• Use Enhanced Capital Allowances

Mission statement

Camfil Farr will convert all air filtration systems to low energy air filters where it is practicably and commercially viable. This will save on the quantity of air filters manufactured, the energy consumed in running these within the air handling unit, the labour to undertake changes , the reduction in logistics and the waste disposal frequency.

Camfil Farr will record all life cycle cost products (low energy air filters) by product group and set annual targets to increase the penetration of the market. This will be recorded together with the consequential reduction in consumption against known customer criteria.

All relevant data, case studies and news relating to this will be posted on www.lowenergyairfilter.co.uk

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