LORD Corp. has completed the installation of new, innovative energy-efficient equipment, including a sustainable management control system, at its Bowling Green, Ky., facility. These improvements are part of an investment by LORD to increase the efficiency and sustainability of production processes, thus better serving the

LORD's Bowling Green, Ky., facility.

company’s customers and product end users through reduced environmental impact.

The project included replacing an inefficient chiller with a new high-efficiency 300-ton centrifugal chiller and pump system; replacing a steam generation system with a high-efficiency boiler equipped with enhanced burner controls, oxygen controls and a new deaerator tank; installed a rubber preheater scheduling system; and incorporated an advanced energy monitoring system, with the ability to analyze and modify system operations for chilled water, compressed air, and steam. The completed project will result in a reduction of 1,433 metric tons of carbon dioxide output and an annual utility savings of more than $170,000. The total investment in the turnkey installation and commissioning process will have a simple payback of five and a half years.

LORD received a $504,000 grant for the project from the Kentucky Department of Energy Development and Independence (DEDI), reportedly due to the significance of this environmental upgrade. The total project cost was approximately $1 million; LORD contributed $505,000, according to Steve Schrader, general manager, Operations.

“Environmental stewardship is essential to LORD Corp.’s strategy and business model,” Schrader said. “The LORD grant with the State of Kentucky helped the Bowling Green Plant more quickly install equipment central to the production of the plant’s products. The plant immediately reduced its gas and electricity usage. Additionally, the installed monitoring system allows the plant to evaluate energy usage and make ongoing energy reduction adjustments to processes and equipment.”

Selected through an extremely competitive process based on overall project energy savings, LORD is the only non-government entity thus far to receive this grant funding, reportedly due in large part to the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability, in addition to the project’s innovative design. The grant, also sponsored by the Energy and Environment Cabinet Tennessee Valley Authority Clean Air Act Settlement grant program, provided 50% matching funds for the project. The project was completed in May with the assistance of DEDI and Harshaw Trane, an energy specialist company based in Louisville, Ky.

LORD chose to partner with Harshaw Trane, Kentucky’s largest energy services team, due to the company’s commitment to innovative technology to optimize client operational performance while reducing energy use and costs. Harshaw Trane’s unique design and implementation methods helped ensure that LORD would be able to make the improvements necessary to guarantee the current and future success of the Bowling Green facility.

Groundbreaking began for the Bowling Green facility in 1974, and production started in 1975. Since that time, the facility has strived to provide the highest quality products for the industrial market at competitive prices while conserving energy and other important resources. To enhance this commitment, LORD launched a corporate initiative to reduce overall facility and company energy consumption. The initiative spurred efforts to improve energy efficiency at the Bowling Green facility, securing the recent grant. Efficiency upgrades have made LORD a leader in energy efficiency in Kentucky, which supports Gov. Steve Beshear’s plan to develop reliable, affordable and clean energy sources for the 21st century.

 For more information, visit www.lord.com.