Alcoa. Flying J. Magnesium Corp. of America. Kennecott Utah Copper.
A wide range of companies, but one thing they have in common is energy efficiency.
The U.S. Department of Energy and the state will highlight the good works of those companies and others next week during the three-day "Utah 2001 Industry Showcase." The event will feature speakers, plant tours and exhibits focusing on advanced technologies in aluminum manufacturing, metal casting and mining in Utah and the nation.
The showcase takes place Monday through Wednesday at the Sheraton City Centre.
Industry officials, plant managers, technology experts, researchers and equipment suppliers will share information about new operational technologies in operations; learn about funding opportunities; network; and participate in a forum on the future of aluminium, mining and petroleum industries.
Tours will be available to Alcoa, Chevron, Flying J, Kennecott Utah Copper, Magcorp and Silver Eagle Inland Refining. The exhibit hall will feature displays about advanced technologies and practices from industry and government/industry development programs.
The showcase costs $115, although a Monday workshop for inventors and entrepreneurs titled "Partnering To Win: Moving Energy Technologies to Market" is free. It takes place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
During showcase breakout sessions, Alcoa will explain how it has improved its energy efficiency in its North American extrusion business unit. Flying J will provide details about a new computer-based monitoring system that tracks energy consumption in processing units and the implementation of energy management tools that were added at little or no capital cost. Magcorp will focus on the development and deployment of a new electrolytic process that will cut energy use by 30 percent and reduce emissions. Kennecott will explain how projectile-based processing has cut energy use.
The energy department's Office of Industrial Technologies and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy have coordinated the activities.
Showcase details are available at www.oit.doe.gov.
E-mail: bwallace@desnews.com