Energy Analysis
The Industrial Technologies Program (ITP) regularly conducts analytic studies to identify energy efficiency opportunities. The following publications are energy analyses for metal casting, used to help ITP focus R&D and help companies identify the best opportunities for savings. Browse our metal casting tools and publications as well as the studies listed below.
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Implementation of Metal Casting Best Practices
The project examined cases where metal casters had implemented ITP research results and the benefits they received due to that implementation (PDF 1.1 MB). In cases where casters had not implemented those results, the project examined the factors responsible for that lack of implementation. The project also informed metal casters of the free tools and service offered by the ITP Technology Delivery subprogram.
Advanced Melting Technologies: Energy Saving Concepts and Opportunities for the Metal Casting Industry
The study (PDF 1.9 MB) examines current and emerging melting technologies and discusses their technical barriers to scale-up issues and research needed to advance these technologies, improving melting efficiency, lowering metal transfer heat loss, and reducing scrap.
Industry Analysis in Brief
ITP, in partnership with the Energy Information Administration, has created a comprehensive report that displays information on the economics, energy use, technologies and management activities that affect the metal casting industry.
Energy and Environmental Profile of the Metal Casting Industry
This detailed report (PDF 1.6 MB) benchmarks the energy and environmental characteristics of the key technologies used in the major processes of the metal casting industry.
Footprints
The U.S. Manufacturing and Mining Energy Footprints provide a graphical representation of the flow of energy across the most energy-intensive industries. The footprints show where energy is used inside plant boundaries, where losses occur on-site, which are the most widely used energy systems for each industry, and much more.
Theoretical/Best Practice Energy Use in Metal Casting Operations
With U.S. energy costs on the rise, this timely report (PDF 1.7 MB) evaluates the potential for reducing the energy needed to produce molten metal (cast iron, steel, aluminum, magnesium, zinc and copper). It also includes energy saving opportunities beyond melting as well as an analysis of the potential for combined heat and power in metal. (Updated 5/8/04)
Energy Use in Selected Metal Casting Facilities - 2003
This report (PDF 1.3 MB) represents an energy benchmark for various metal casting processes. It describes process flows and energy use by fuel type and processes for selected casting operations. It also provides recommendations for improving energy efficiency in casting. (Updated 5/28/04)