New energy efficient motors slash £130k off KP’s energy bill
Fitting four new energy efficient motors to its giant cooking oil pumps has helped KP Snackfoods cut its annual energy bill in 2002 by £130,000. Dean Palmer reports
The plant at Ashby de la Zouch runs at least 5.5 days per week and produces more than 500,000 tonnes of Hula-Hoops and Skips crisps each year. Cooking the crisps is a major part of the production process and so energy consumption is a major consideration for senior staff at the plant. Savings of a few percent can be significant in terms of running costs and carbon emissions.
The four pumps are now driven by a 45kW high efficiency motor from Brook Crompton. These pumps circulate hot cooking oil from the fryers to the heat exchangers and back again. This configuration is used for several reasons: it’s far more controllable and efficient than heating the oil in the fryers; it’s much safer than having hot oil near naked flames; and the constant flow allows continuous filtration to keep the oil to the exact standards of cleanliness required in modern food production.
The pump motors replaced the existing 37.5 kW units. The new motors are slightly oversized for the job to ensure long-term reliability in a high temperature environment.
The project was led by Brook Crompton’s work placement engineer, Nick Reddell, who has since won a £500 National Energy Impact Award for his efforts.
