Water and Energy Reduction Project

Overview

TechnipFMC is a global leader in the Traditional and Renewable Energy Industry, delivering innovative technologies, systems, and services to meet the world’s energy needs. This project centers on TechnipFMC facility in Erie, PA, acclaimed for its production of various meters, such as Turbine, Positive Displacement, and Ultrasonic meters used in the oil and gas industry. The key issue this project sets out to solve is the significant consumption of water and energy in its plating department (Dept 45).

Objectives

The objective of this project is to identify and propose practical solutions to reduce water and energy consumption within the entire TechnipFMC facility, with a primary focus on the plating and parts washer areas. The team at Penn State worked with TechnipFMC to conduct a thorough analysis of energy and water usage in facility tanks and present these proposed solutions to the TechnipFMC team. The main measurable objective would be to reduce the amount of water and energy that is used in these processes.

Approach

• The team’s goal is to reduce water consumption to at least 12% of the current usage and energy consumption by at least 5%.
• The approach to data collection involved a multifaceted strategy of interviews, data collection, utilization of company manuals, and a time study.
• The team made two visits to TechnipFMC facilities to explore the current system and gather information.
• Multiple analysis techniques to be used to analyse current system and areas of improvement.

Outcomes

• 10 concepts generated and presented for the consideration of TechnipFMC.
• IE Tools to be used in areas of Process Improvement, Productivity Enhancement, and Human Factors.
• The solutions explored by this project set out to reduce water consumption, improved process flow, and safety.