Office of Conservation

DNR awards Nalco for conservation efforts

DNR Deputy Secretary Lori LeBlanc presents Nalco Plant Manager Carl Pasquarelli and his team with the 2009 Stewardship Award for outstanding energy reduction measures at the Garyville facility.

The state Department of Natural Resources has recently recognized the Nalco Company of Garyville with an Outstanding Stewardship Award for energy conservation.

The award is given to companies and organizations that reduce energy consumption in their operations and institute innovative measures to save energy.

Nalco specializes in water treatment operations. The plant in St. John the Baptist Parish employs over 200 employees. Nalco is a part of a worldwide, voluntary initiative by the chemical industry to improve safety, health and environmental performance in its operations.

Over the past decade, DNR’s Technology Assessment and Energy Office has presented this prestigious Stewardship Award to recipients in both the public and private sectors who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in adopting energy efficiency measures that emphasize fiscally prudent, and environmentally beneficial best management practices.

“It is very appropriate that our department recognizes and celebrates the successes of operations such as Nalco when they make conservation of energy a priority,” said DNR Secretary Scott Angelle.

“Nalco has shown that superior performance in reducing energy consumption at its facility is certainly achievable,” said DNR Deputy Secretary Lori LeBlanc.

“Nalco is committed to operating all of its facilities in a secure, resource-efficient manner that protects the environment and the health and safety of our employees and communities in which we live and work," said Plant Manager Carl Pasquarelli.

Nalco was successful this year in reducing the amount of electricity the facility used as well as reducing the amount of natural gas it consumed.

Here are some examples of energy savings projects recently completed at the plant:

Plant Wide Lighting System Upgrade – Replaced existing lighting ballasts with high efficiency ballasts and bulbs. Incorporated the use of motion detection sensors in selected areas of the plant, turning off lighting when no one occupied the area. Estimated electricity usage reduction, approximately 1.2 MM KWH per year.

Aeration Basin Blower Operation – Developed an operating strategy to utilize two instead of three basin blowers, when possible. Includes reducing the blower output at certain times. Estimated electricity usage reduction, approximately 300,000 KWH per year.

Steam Trap Replacement – Assessed the existing steam traps and replaced selected units with high efficiency units resulting in the reduction of steam loss from the traps. Estimated reduction in natural gas consumption, approximately 6,000 MM BTU per year.

The company has additional energy reduction projects planned in 2009 and future years, including improved cooling tower fan and pump controls, process air piping system enhancements, building ventilation enhancements and reaction cycle time reduction.