U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Industrial Technologies Program – BestPractices

Process Heating Assessment and Survey Tool

This photo shows the back of an industrial worker tending to a fiery hot furnace. He is holding a tool and appears to be stirring something within a molten vat of material. Across the image are the words "Process Heating Assessment and Survey Tool" and underneath are the words "Process Heating Systems."

Download PHAST Beta Version 3.0 now! (ZIP 112 MB)
Release Date: September 11, 2009
Release Notes
Metric: Yes

Download PHAST now!
Version: 2.0
Release Date: March 24, 2009
Release Notes
Metric Unit Measurement: Yes

The Process Heating Assessment and Survey Tool (PHAST) introduces methods to improve thermal efficiency of heating equipment. This tool helps industrial users survey process heating equipment that consumes fuel, steam, or electricity, and identifies the most energy-intensive equipment. The tool can be used to perform a heat balance that identifies major areas of energy use under various operating conditions and test "what-if" scenarios for various options to reduce energy use.

NEW: ITP invites you to test the Beta version of the new PHAST tool. PHAST 3.0 includes a major update with the addition of a new electrotechology section that allows users to choose between electrotechnology or fuel-fired systems. Users downloading the Beta version will be emailed detailed testing instructions.

Beta testing on PHAST 3.0 will continue through October 5, 2009. Please send comments to the ITP Tools Help Desk.

Intended Users

This tool is designed for industrial energy coordinators, plant managers and engineers who are interested in identifying potential energy-saving opportunities in process heating equipment.

Inputs

Users will need to input the following:

  • General manufacturing plant information
  • Available energy sources for the plant and the fuel heating value and cost
  • Energy use data for furnaces, and heater
  • Energy used by auxiliary equipment associated with the furnace
  • Energy used in various parts of the furnace under given operating conditions
  • Commonly used materials for charge material, fixtures and process atmosphere in process heating applications.

Outputs

Based on input, PHAST will:

  • Compare energy performance of individual pieces of equipment under various operating conditions
  • Report annual energy use of each piece of equipment
  • Construct a detailed heat balance for selected pieces of equipment
  • Suggest methods to save energy in each area where energy is used or wasted.

Release Notes

PHAST 3.0 Beta: This version replaces Version 2.0. Plant data previously collected using PHAST 2.0 cannot be imported to PHAST 3.0. Note: Before downloading PHAST 3.0, remove previous versions of PHAST using the Add or Remove Programs feature of your PC.

Version 2.0 of PHAST replaces Version 1.1.2; downloading the new version is recommended. Plant data previously collected using PHAST 1.1.2 cannot be transferred directly to PHAST 2.0; however, a patch is available at the tool download site that allows for parallel use of both versions. Updates were made to the installation package in March 2009 to help eliminate several registry conflicts.

For More Information

PHAST Qualification

DOE recognizes PHAST Qualified Specialists for their ability to apply the PHAST tool with industrial users. Attendees who successfully complete a PHAST qualification workshop receive this designation. A Qualified Specialist can apply PHAST to help you identify opportunities for thermal efficiency of heating equipment. Details.

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