a b s t r a c t
In this paper an analysis of energy use and energy conservation in the Malaysian rubber producing industries
is presented. It has been found that rubber industries consume a substantial amount of energy.
Excessive use of energy is usually associated with many industrial plants worldwide, and rubber plants
are no exception. This study is based on the realization that enormous potential exists for cost-effective
improvements in the existing energy-using equipment. Through the method of a walkthrough energy
audit, power rating, operation time of energy-consuming equipment/machineries and power factor were
collected. The data were then analyzed to investigate the breakdown of end-use equipment/machineries
energy use. The results of the energy audit in the Malaysian rubber and rubber producing industries
showed that the electric motor accounts for a major fraction of total energy consumption followed by
pumps, heaters, cooling systems and lighting. Since the electric motor takes up a substantial amount
of the total energy used in rubber industries, energy-savings strategies such as the use of high efficient
motors, and variable speed drive (VSD) have been used to reduce energy consumption of motors used
in rubber industries. Energy-savings strategies for compressed-air systems, boilers, and chillers have also
been applied to estimate energy and cost savings. It has been found that significant amount of energy
and; utility bills can be saved along with the reduction of emission by applying the foretold strategies
for energy using machineries in the rubber industries.