The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 (BIL) together represent a historic investment of more than $430 billion toward modernizing the American energy system. The provisions in these two laws will enhance the nation’s energy security, lower energy costs for American businesses and households, drive clean energy innovation, improve human health, and mitigate climate change.
The four pillars of this program are focused on Energy Efficiency; Industrial Electrification; Low Cost Fuels, Feedstocks, and Energy Sources (LCFFES); and Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS). Related to those pillars is Manufacturing Technology Innovation, including a specific program focused on technologies for emissions reduction, including efforts to replace industrial thermal energy systems that account for 11% of CO2 emissions with clean heat from alternative energy sources.
The targeted industries and technical solutions include chemical, petroleum refining, iron and steel (alternative reductants such as hydrogen, ammonia, biomass, molten oxide electrolysis, hydrogen plasma direct smelting, and carbon capture and storage in blast furnaces (BFs) and basic oxygen furnaces (BOFs)), food and beverage, forest products (increase biomass use, improve energy efficiency separations for concentrating liquor, and increase fiber yield of pulping and solids content in paper forming), and cement/lime/concrete (alternative binders and processes for making Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)).
Additionally, the Electrified Processes for Industry Without Carbon (EPIXC) Institute at Arizona State University, part of the Manufacturing USA Network, was recently created to help manufacturers use sustainable energy. Manufacturing USA is the national network for manufacturing innovation and is focused on coordinating public and private investment in emerging advanced manufacturing technologies.
Closer to home, the Rapid Advancement in Process Intensification Deployment (RAPID) Institute, another Manufacturing USA Network affiliate, is focusing on breakthrough technologies to dramatically improve the energy efficiency of novel manufacturing processes and enable the development of modular processes. Some of that work is being performed at the University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University.
Our ceramic fiber blanket and refractory products can help you become part of the solution to lower energy consumption and emissions reduction. Here are 5 products that you can use to help "keep the feds off your back:"
1. Durablanket LT and LTZ. This new product from Unifrax offered in blanket and module improves the thermal efficiency of your furnace lining by 15%!
2. Electric Element Modules. While switching from gas to electric may not change your overall carbon footprint (different battle for a different day) depending on where the power is sourced from, it can lower your direct emissions.
3. Silplate Mass Coating. Forging furnace temperatures cause hot spots and leaks in linings. Silplate Mass is a great protective coating to get extra life out of your lining.
4. LDS Moldable and Pumpable. Speaking of hot spots, liquid ceramic fiber is an inexpensive and effective way to fill spots and cracks and prevent heat escape.
5. Insulating Fire Brick. Many old furnaces may have Fireclay Brick/Hard Brick in places where they could use an insulating brick. By using the appropriate grade brick, you can watch the energy savings happen.
Although decreasing energy consumption and emissions may appear to be a daunting task, if done systematically and in phases over a period of years, it can help to improve workplace and community safety and air quality while complying with the letter and spirit of laws and regulations.
To stay ahead, or get ahead, of the regulatory and legislative curves...