THE CHALLENGE

E.T. Simonds sought an economical, reliable and cleaner way to strengthen its asphalt operation. The company could not get natural gas off the local utility’s pipeline and has been using No. 2 diesel. Unfortunately, diesel contains contaminants that were wearing down plant components even with filtration. It was also causing soot buildup, which lowers the efficiency of burners and increases fuel consumption. E.T. Simonds was seeking a fuel alternative to address delivered fuel price, cleaner fuel, and operational and maintenance costs.
  • Delivered fuel price
  • Cleaner fuel
  • Operational & maintenance costs

WITH KINETREX LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS

Fuel costs are a major factor for consideration in the operation of asphalt plants. However, fuel must be evaluated on more than just the delivered price. Fuel oil and diesel are subject to containments and dirty emissions which can increase operational costs. Understanding how different energy sources can affect the asphalt industry can lead to a more cost- effective and efficiently operated plant.


WE WERE ABLE TO SAVE OVER 35% ON OUR FUEL COSTS WITH KINETREX WHICH ALLOWS US TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE ON BIDS AND HOPEFULLY WIN MORE BUSINESS WHILE ALSO IMPROVING MARGINS.”    

– SCOTT ROBERTSON, OPERATIONS MANAGER, E.T. SIMONDS

“THE KINETREX SYSTEM WORKED WELL IN OUR OPERATION AND LNG IS A MUCH CLEANER FUEL THAT WILL GREATLY REDUCE OUR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE COSTS.”

– E.T. SIMONDS
  • Combusting flights last longer
  • Soot reduction in the burner
  • Filters last longer in bag house
  • Reduction of ultra-violet sensor burn up

THE RESULTS

Using LNG, E.T. Simonds is saving over 35% on their delivered fuel costs. LNG also provides more stable pricing that allows for better budgeting and more consistent profit margins. LNG produces a more consistent burner flame and requires less oxygen to burn which translates into greater operational efficiencies for E.T. Simonds.

Compared to diesel and waste oil, LNG demonstrates success in the following areas: combusting flights and filters lasting longer, soot reduction in the burner, and reduction of ultra-violet sensor burn up.

The LNG fuel system proved an easily-installed, cost-effective means of reducing the company’s operational costs. E.T. Simonds has entered into a 5-year partnership with Kinetrex and anticipates increased asphalt production and LNG volume usage in 2020.

THE SOLUTION

Kinetrex introduced a “virtual pipeline” of liquefied natural gas (LNG) with mobile onsite storage and vaporization system to meet the challenges faced by E.T. Simonds. LNG provided a lower delivered fuel costs that is not subject to wild price swings like fuel oil or diesel. In addition, LNG is a much cleaner fuel that produces a more consistent flame and needs less oxygen to burn.

Kinetrex provided E.T. Simonds the LNG storage and regasification equipment, installation and ongoing maintenance at no cost as part of their turnkey solutions package. Minimal site preparation was needed for the setup. E.T. Simonds simply provided a gas line connection point and proper site preparation for the mobile vaporizers and fuel trailer.

  • 2 LNG mobile vaporization trailers
  • 14,000 gallon cryogenic storage tank
  • PLC with remote monitoring
  • Mobile app to track fuel usage