Metlab Potero, a heat treatment company, in Montgomery County saved over $270,000 and reduced their water use by 3.7 million gallons and saved 4.1 million cubic feet of natural gas by installing a new cooling water collection and recovery system at its facility in Wyndmoor.

The cooling water that was previously discharged after being used to cool their heat treat furnace components is now recirculated and reused in their heated rinse tanks on its surface treatment line.

The company projected a reduction in the amount wastewater discharge, energy used for heating the rinse water and a reduction in residual waste. The company projected a simple payback of approximately 1.5 years.

In the past four years, Metlab has reported saving more than 3.7 million gallons of water and 4.1 million cubic feet of natural gas as well as a reduction in its waste stream.

The company has also reported a reduction in waste disposal costs as well as an increase in production. The company has realized a savings of $270,200 in the four years since implementing the project.

Metlab has also has a second project that involved the installation of a new high efficiency compressed air system.

The improvements made by Metlab where financed in part by DEP’s Pollution Prevention Assistance Account Loan Program.

Link: Metlab Potero Industries of the Future

8/18/2006