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Ciment Québec |
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Cascades |
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Molson |
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Kruger |
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IBM |
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Université de Sherbrooke |
Customer success stories
Ciment Québec modernizes its plant to boost efficiency
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Ciment Québec, based in Saint-Basile-de-Portneuf, manufactures cement powder, the main ingredient in concrete. Since the equipment used to convey the powder—with all its pumps and compressors—consumes large amounts of electricity, energy efficiency is a good way for the firm to make its activities more cost-effective. Hydro-Québec's Industrial Initiatives Program – Major Customers helped Ciment Québec get its energy efficiency project, which had been previously stalled because of the substantial investments required, up and running. |
Reducing electricity consumption
Ciment Québec was looking for equipment to transport cement powder (the raw material for the plant) that did not consume so much energy. Based on the results of a number of cost-benefit analyses, it selected a bucket elevator to replace the pumps and compressors. The new equipment transports greater volumes of powder using much less energy.
Highly rewarding results
The plant not only achieved annual energy savings of 2.3 GWh, but also boosted its productivity. Some of the tangible benefits include fewer production shutdowns (caused by overloaded pumps), better management of equipment downtime for preventive maintenance and less dust.
Substantial savings
Given the project cost of $619,000, the $350,000 in financial assistance and other support provided by Hydro-Québec clearly influenced Ciment Québec's decision to invest in the project. Today, Ciment Québec considers itself a winner on all fronts: energy, time and money.
Ciment Québec was looking for equipment to transport cement powder (the raw material for the plant) that did not consume so much energy. Based on the results of a number of cost-benefit analyses, it selected a bucket elevator to replace the pumps and compressors. The new equipment transports greater volumes of powder using much less energy.
Highly rewarding results
The plant not only achieved annual energy savings of 2.3 GWh, but also boosted its productivity. Some of the tangible benefits include fewer production shutdowns (caused by overloaded pumps), better management of equipment downtime for preventive maintenance and less dust.
Substantial savings
Given the project cost of $619,000, the $350,000 in financial assistance and other support provided by Hydro-Québec clearly influenced Ciment Québec's decision to invest in the project. Today, Ciment Québec considers itself a winner on all fronts: energy, time and money.
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| “At Ciment Québec, we've been interested in energy efficiency for a long time. The initial investment required for this project was enormous, however. Hydro-Québec gave us a helping hand. Best of all is that we both end up benefiting.” – Michel Chabot, process engineer, Ciment Québec |
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