1. Internal environmental conditions within narrow ranges of temperature and humidity are
crucial for the successful weaving of natural fibres, such as cotton. However, the modern
use of synthetic yards, which do not produce as much fabric dust, means that lower
ventilation rates are acceptable. The Weaving Shed’s ventilation supply and extract was
set for weaving cotton yarn. Variable speed drive inverter control equipment was installed
to reduce the ventilation supply and extract rates - ventilation rates were reduced by 20%.
Weaving
Shed
Heating & ventilation audit saves £34,500 of energy annually...
Energy audits of this factory’s
heating and ventilation system
revealed major savings...
R A Irwin & Co Ltd is a major textile
producer, who continue the tradition of
producing fine fabrics in Northern
Ireland. Their Milltown factory produces
fabrics for use in window blinds and
mattresses and contains many of the
original mill buildings.
The heating and ventilation systems
were audited to reveal potential energy
savings in the weaving shed; air-washer
humidifying unit; and stenter machine.
The latter is used for fabric finishing and
uses gas-fired heating to dry the finished
material. An air-to-air heat exchanger
was installed to use exhaust-gas heat, to
provide energy efficient space heating to
the Warping Department.
An alternative humidification system
was also installed, which used much
less water, with more accurate humidity
levels. This included high pressure spray
nozzles that evaporated all supplied
water - obviating the need for water
recollection and associated energy use.
Total energy savings of £34.500
annually were identified, which was
about 50% of the HVAC site costs. The
simple payback period on investment
was just over one year.
The technology and materials of
industrial processes advance - so
it is always worth reassessing
and auditing to achieve energy
efficiency.
R A Irwin Textile Factory