Rinker Materials wins Governor's Award for energy efficiency
From left to right - Kent Clark, Arizona Dept. of Commerce Energy Office director, Joel Nickel, Rinker Materials environmental manager, Jim Michael, Rinker Materials maintenance manager, Porter O’Doherty, Emissions Products International (EPI) director of operations, Debra Johnson, EPI president, and Lynette Evans with the Governor’s Policy Advisory for Regulatory Affairs.
At Rinker, we strive to look after our environment so it's especially rewarding when our innovative environmental management is noticed.
Our Rinker Materials operations in Arizona recently won the Governor's Award for Energy Efficiency for their Emissions Technology Combustion Catalyst System (CCS) used to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. The system is currently used on the Caterpillar 3512 generator, which powers the 7th Street batch plant operation and Jomax Road facility in Phoenix.
The award is given to companies that demonstrate reductions in energy and help reduce consumption of natural resources.
How does the award-winning CCS work? It introduces catalyst to the engine as an aerosol, completing the combustion process, improving engine performance and thus reducing diesel consumption and emissions.
Using a flowmeter, the team was able to measure the consumption of the generator before and after installation of the CCS. Based on these measurements at a constant level of production, the generator's diesel consumption was reduced by 15 per cent or two gallons (7.57 litres) per hour. That means net savings of around US$20,000 annually.
Implementing the CCS technology on all generators in Arizona would reduce diesel consumption by approximately 400,000 gallons (1.5 million litres) and save around US$800,000 per year.
A pilot project is being tested for the entire Phoenix concrete mixer fleet.
Readymix wins Healthy Waterways Award
Left to Right: Joe Barnwell (Commerce Queensland), Russel Wilson, Peter Allitt, Jan Kesby and Bevan Hindmarsh
Readymix has once again shown a strong commitment to enhancing the local environment by winning the coveted industry category of the South East Queensland "Healthy Waterways Award".
Since 2003, the Readymix Mooloolah site on Queensland's Sunshine Coast has been involved in a partnership with the Mooloolah Waterwatch and Landcare Group. The Mooloolah River runs through the plant and the area is a haven for many rare fauna and bird life in the region. This partnership - the first of its kind between industry and community in the region - ensures the quality of the environment is maintained around the plant.
The partnership started from an embryonic state with only a few volunteers and no base for operations. By providing a base and continuing financial support, Readymix has enabled the group to grow in size and stature.
"This initiative provides an excellent example of what can be achieved by going beyond 'compliance'. It has had a huge impact on the way Readymix is perceived in the community, both locally and regionally," says Scott Carter, Readymix national environment manager. "Importantly, as the program is ongoing, our strong standing in the community will continue into the future. Well done to Peter Allitt and the Mooloolah sands team – keep up the great work."
