GFS now utilizing heat-recovery technology to reduce environmental impact

GFS now utilizing heat-recovery technology to reduce environmental impact

GFS has once again made a move to reduce the environmental impact of its manufacturing facilities. By installing heat recovery units on each of its 3 spray booth exhaust stacks, GFS is able to utilize the heat generated during the operation of these spray booths to control the temperature within the manufacturing shop itself. When the spray booths are being used, typically to paint structural steel and other components, the hot exhaust air is passed through 3 heat exchangers (one on each exhaust stack), which use this heat to provide warm air for the production shop area. By re-using the heat generated by the spray booths, GFS was able to significantly reduce the usage of its existing facility heating system. In fact, the 60,000CFM air make up unit currently installed will be replaced with a 10,000CFM unit, while still providing the same comfortable work environment for our employees. In the analysis done by the Focus on Energy program it is estimated that these changes will reduce GFS’ electrical consumption by over 31,000kwh per year and its natural gas consumption by over 23,000therms annually in its Osseo, WI manufacturing operation.

CEI Enterprises, Inc.

CEI Enterprises, Inc. located in Albuquerque, NM, is a manufacturer of asphalt heating and storage equipment. CEI was in need of a paint booth and had limited space inside their existing facility. CEI elected to go with an outdoor booth versus a building expansion to house a new booth. GFS outdoor booths are engineered and designed to meet all seismic and wind loads for the particular area.

After reviewing with GFS, it was decided the best fit would be a 24 ft. wide x 24 ft. high x 100 ft. long side downdraft type booth. Incorporated in the booth were two 3 axis pneumatic manlifts. These lifts allow the operator to go up to a height of 17 ft., extend into the booth 10 ft. and travel the full length of the paint booth. The booth was also equipment with an accelerated heated drying mode. The drying mode recirculates the 140°F heated air which reduces operating costs while increasing production.

A GFS paint kitchen was also manufacuted to store their hazardous liquids. The kitchen was supplied with fire suppression, heat, and air conditioning.

EVCO Industrial

Steve Eva, of EVCO Industrial, was contacted by Dale Deist, President of Deist Industries, to evaluate their finishing equipment needs. Deist Industries requires a unique powder coating system for their new “Switch and Go” Detachable Truck Body System and their Ameri-Deck Hydraulic Loading System. “Our customers were demanding a better coating system”, comments Dale.  “They want equipment that looks as good as their trucks.”

To meet Deist Industries needs to accommodate parts as large as 8 ft. x 6 ft. x 16 ft. and weighing 5,000 pounds, EVCO designed an overhead conveyor indexing system that incorporated Global Finishing Solutions’ (GFS) Wash Station and Powder Coating Booth. The modular design of the Wash Station and Powder Coating Booth allowed the system to be installed in a limited amount of space while maintaining adequate room to work safely and efficiently.

GFS’ Wash Station permitted the re-capture of all of the chemistry that was pumped back to an EVCO closed loop wash reclaim system.  The reclaim system filters returning phosphate/ cleaner solution and evaporates the contaminated rinse waters, in a location with no city sewer. The GFS Wash Station integrated exhaust fans to keep the steam out of the room and provides excellent lighting while; the GFS Powder Room incorporates (4) PC-100 powder collectors that are so effective that only two collectors run at a time.

GFS INVESTS IN 'GREEN' MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT

GFS invests in ‘green’ manufacturing equipment

Always on the lookout for ways to reduce environmental impact, while also increasing production efficiencies, GFS has invested in a new turret press for our sheet metal processes. This new turret, a Murata Motorum Servo-Drive press, is 100% electrically operated, using approximately 70% less energy than other turrets with similar capabilities. The usage of servomotors in place of hydraulics means that there is no need for the use of messy oils or refrigerant coolers, significantly reducing the environmental impact of the turrets operation. In addition, this new turret is much more efficient in its operation when compared to the previous turret that was in operation. When compared to the older turret, this new turret essentially doubles operation speeds, and provides improved production capabilities and lowering operating costs. This new turret has been installed in the GFS Osseo, WI facility.

For more information, please contact GFS at:

800-848-8738
info@globalfinishing.com
www.globalfinishing.com