AMETEK Land in-furnace thermal imaging increases pull at Encirc glass plant

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AMETEK Land collects the Glass Focus award for Innovative Solution

AMETEK Land’s innovative use of real-time, in-furnace thermal imaging for Encirc saw them win in the Innovative Solution category – sponsored by Glass Technology Services Ltd – at the Glass Focus Awards 2017.

The annual awards – organised by British Glass and supported by Glass Worldwide – were held this year at the Royal Armouries in Leeds – at the centre of our country’s great east-west glass manufacturing corridor, where nine out of ten of the UK’s largest glass manufacturers have production sites. 

In this category the judging panel was looking for an innovation in product, process or system bringing about clear benefits related to a glass product or its manufacture. Factors such as new functionality, widening markets, improved productivity or reducing costs were of particular interest.

The winning entry was an AMETEK Land project, run with Simpson Combustion and Energy, in which temperature data from AMETEK Land’s near infrared borescope (NIR-B) was used to optimise furnace operation at Encirc’s Elton site. Comparing historical thermal imaging data, the team was able to improve regenerator flows and optimise fuel profiles to manage the furnace hot-spot position and achieve record pull rates. The work has also demonstrated potential for future reductions in operating costs and emissions.

Presenting the award, judging panel chair Dave Fordham of Glass Worldwide said the judges had been impressed at how this project had advanced the ability to better controlling furnaces in the future – and at its potential to reduce emissions (a priority for many industries).

The award was sponsored by Glass Technology Services Ltd – a leading provider of testing, analysis and consultancy which works with clients in every part of the glass industry and its supply chain.

AMETEK Land glass industry lead,  Mark Bennett said:

“We are delighted to win this award. It is a testament to the three  organisations ’ excellent collaborative working relationship. We were able to demonstrate the effectiveness of the NIR-B solution for  Encirc , which is now set to  optimise  furnace operations and introduce further reductions in emissions for the plant,” 

British Glass technical director Nick Kirk said:

“AMETEK Land deserves to be congratulated on this with  Encric  and Simpson Combustion and Energy, a great cooperative effort. British Glass is passionate about supporting innovation in glass. We do this by contributing funding and expertise to original research, as a partner in the Glass Futures  centre  of excellence and by bringing different parties together to discover more about each other’s activity – just as the Glass Focus Awards have done.”

Glass Technology Services Ltd business development manager Philip Marsh said:

“Glass Technology Services Ltd is instrumental in glass innovation – in our own R&D and in the services we provide for customers developing new techniques and products. We’re proud to have sponsored this award and see it go to such a worthy winner. Events like the Glass Focus Awards are a great opportunity for us all to hear about what’s happening across the industry and learn from each other.”

Find out about the other winners.

 


Notes

British Glass is the industry’s representative body – providing insight, intelligence and leadership. It works with all parts of the supply chain to ensure that glass manufacturing, particularly in the UK, has the resources, influence and skills to remain commercially successful, innovative and sustainable.

The Glass Focus Awards are an annual event organised by British Glass and supported by Glass Worldwide. Each year the awards recognise and celebrate excellence across the glass industry. 

AMETEK Land are specialists in the design and manufacture of monitors and analysers for industrial infrared non-contact temperature measurement, combustion efficiency and environmental pollutant emissions. www.landinst.com