| Submission Entry: | 1.) What does 1.5 C/IEQ/food safety/fire and life safety/data centre reliability mean to you? What is the depth of your understanding of any one or more of the five, as relevant to the nature of the product(s) you manufacture or supply/or the service(s) you provide, and its/their implications for people and/or planet? (277)Answer: As a leading EPC contractor, AGEPC consistently drives innovation to reduce energy consumption and optimize processes in DCPs and Data Center projects. One such initiative is the application of internal pipe coatings for CHW pipes. This solution reduces water waste during flushing minimising chemical use, as well as reducing the use of Temporary Diesel Pumps for the Flushing thus aligning with the 1.5°C climate target.
We successfully implemented this internal coating solution in one of our District Cooling plants, eliminating the need for chemical flushing. This not only saved a significant volume of water about three times the system's capacity thus preventing the environmental impact of discharging chemically treated water as well as eliminating the need for operating Temporary diesel pumps which has saved release of over 160 Tons of CO2 emissions.
Furthermore, this approach shortened the project timeline by 3-4 weeks, allocated for flushing works, and reduced chemical consumption
2.) What profound innovation can you lay claim to? Describe in as much detail as possible. (Profound innovation is something that reflects shifting the ground from what is currently accepted as a normal offering or with baseline product features. Any deviation from that is profound.) (278)Answer: A notable innovation in Chilled Water (CHW) and Condenser Water System (CWS) piping systems is the use of internal pipe coatings with anti-corrosive property. This approach represents a major Shift from traditional chemical cleaning (flushing) methodology which rely exclusively on chemicals for cleaning the installed piping systems.
The traditional approach in DCP plants is to do in suit installation of the pipes and at the end the project use Temporary Diesel or Electrical Driven pumps to circulate water at high velocities through the circuit mixed with chemicals to clean the pipe internal surfaces prior to putting the system into use. This process involves mobilising Temporary pumps for the flushing activity, a lot of Temporary looping arrangements within the piping system (to Bypass the equipment’s), Wastewater management and diesel consumption.
AGE’s approach to avoid this was to propose the prefabrication of the spool pieces and use of Internal painting of the pipe surface at an offsite paint applicators facility. AGE have identified tools which are able to precisely apply the coating and would be able to provide a video graphic survey of the pipe internals prior to Box up.
Initially, our client hesitated to adopt internal pipe coatings due to concerns about potential paint peeling caused by poor workmanship, which could clog strainers and disrupt the system’s flow. We addressed these concerns by recommending robotic application of the coating of around 250-micron thickness, thereby ensuring accuracy and mitigating workmanship related issues. We also provided third-party certification to verify the coating's quality.
Below are some key advantages of internal pipe coating:
• Reduced Greenhouse Gas emissions:
o Eliminating the need for extensive water flushing supports sustainability goals by reducing water as well as chemical use thereby minimizing environmental impact.
o By Eliminating the need for temporary looping arrangements and need for Temporary Deisel Driven Pumps the associated CO2 emissions are eliminated.
o Minimised Friction loss within the pipes leading to lower energy consumption for Pumping the fluids. This translates to decreased reliance on fossil fuels for power generation, thereby lowering the Greenhouse gas emissions.
• Resource Conservation
o By avoiding the usage of Temporary materials for the looping the cost of extraction and production for the materials is reduced.
o The internal paint coating will improve the life span of the pipe and reduce chemical consumption during the plant operational life.
• Improved Project delivery Timelines
o By shifting away from the traditional methodology of Pipe flushing the overall project timeline was improved by 3 weeks as the time required for mobilisation, Temporary looping, chemical cleaning, re hookup and demobilisation was fully avoided.
• Although the initial investment for coated pipes is higher than traditional methods, the long-term advantages such as increased durability and reduction in chemical usage to significantly lower maintenance costs, reduced operational disruptions, and fewer replacements. This makes the approach both environmentally and economically sustainable.
• In critical sectors like hospitals, airports, and data centers, the advanced coating enhances system performance, minimizing risks of failure and ensuring consistent operation.
In conclusion, internal pipe coating is a multifaceted solution that aligns with the 1.5°C climate goal by promoting energy efficiency, resource conservation, environmental protection, and economic sustainability. By investing in this technology, industries can contribute to a more sustainable future while ensuring the integrity of their infrastructure
3.) What is the intrinsic value of the innovation? Where can it be applied? (279)Answer: The intrinsic value of innovation lies in its ability to drive efficiency, sustainability, and long-term reliability beyond traditional limitations. It transforms conventional practices into cutting-edge solutions, providing not only technical benefits but also economic and environmental advantages. Innovation in internal pipe coatings, for example, extends the lifespan of infrastructure, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes maintenance costs, all while promoting a safer and healthier environment.
This innovation can be applied across diverse sectors such as District Cooling plants, Data centers, hospitals, and airports, where cooling efficiency, reliability, and safety are paramount. It is particularly valuable in sectors demanding high operational standards, such as District Cooling plants and Data centers, where any system failure can lead to critical consequences.
4.) How much did it cost you, and how much time did you spend to arrive at the innovation? (280)Answer: Although the initial additional costs for the internal pipe coating, were about 15% to 20% higher than uncoated pipes these costs were offset by the costs that would have been incurred to carry out the pipe cleaning using traditional methodology and the significant savings to the overall project duration. AGE’s approach has always been to innovate and break the norm hence we do not treat this initiative as a profit center but rather to introduce best practices to the industry. AGE have been in coordination with multiple manufacturers for the past 1 year prior to selecting the best partners to provide this service. This strategy allowed us to reduce the overall project construction timelines by significantly reducing the time required for flushing works.
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