I would like to thank the entire PennTAP team for performing a well-organized, valuable energy assessment event. The assessment teams were very knowledgeable and were also a pleasure to work with. We were able to utilize their report as a baseline to help drive continuous improvement in an effort to reduce our environmental footprint. Thank you.
The Need
Tech Cast is a foundry in Myerstown, Pennsylvania. They produce investment castings in a diverse range of high and low carbon steel grades as well as exotic alloys. The extra complexity within Tech Cast’s processes creates a higher energy demand than general metal casting processes. Tech Cast wanted to improve the energy efficiency of their facility.
The PennTAP Connection
After reading one of PennTap’s newsletters, Tech Cast reached out to schedule an energy assessment of their facility.
The Project
PennTAP completed an energy audit with assistance from students from the Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences as well as eight members of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The audit team performed an overall assessment, evaluating lighting, boilers, pipe insulation, process ventilation, and the use of compressed air. The team also identified an opportunity to reduce the solid waste stream of used small aerosol and propane cans.
The Outcome
By implementing the PennTAP recommendation to upgrade their lighting, repair compressed air leaks, and install insulation, Tech Cast has saved 479 MMBTU of energy annually, equivalent to $6,500 in savings. In addition, by using a single cylinder tank and reusable spray cans, as suggested by PennTAP, Tech Cast reduced their solid waste generation and realized an additional savings of approximately $3,000 per year. PennTAP estimated a total annual savings of 300,000 kWh of energy, equivalent to an additional $8,000 in savings, with future upgrades.
About the Company
Tech Cast, LLC
717-866-9009
640 South Cherry Street, Myerstown PA 17067
County: Lebanon
Employees: 85
Industry: Investment Casting