Electricity and Control October 2025

Energy management + energy e iciency

vent steam line water hammer as well as system lock-out to prevent steam burns and pressure release risks when restart ing systems. Processes with di‡erent steam pressure require ments must be operated and maintained. Over-pressurisation of steam use systems downstream can have significant safety impacts,” Williams highlights. He says, “Multi-user sites are challenging. They demand clear and precise communications, tried-and-tested technical skills, and experience to ensure the successful integration of steam generation, reticulation and use.”

ensure safe operation for multiple boiler plants (pressure ves sels), multiple combustion devices, more hot surfaces, more maintenance (at heights and/or in enclosed spaces) and variations on these factors if di‡erent boiler designs, fuels or combustion systems are used. A strong management system is therefore essential, covering permissions, task planning, risk review and procedure set-up.” On multi-user sites, there is also greater variability when it comes to pipework, valves, systems and operating proce dures: “Start-up and shut-down of steam and condensate lines to particular units which are being brought into service or taken out of service must be safely managed. “This involves heating of lines, condensate removal to pre

For more information visit: www.aes-africa.com

AES biomass boiler at a multi-user site using three fuel types.

Energy management + energy e iciency: Products + services

Advanced temperature control to enhance industrial efficiency

to on-off systems by reducing temperature fluctuations and improving overall system stability and efficiency. This is achieved through a combination of proportional, integral and derivative control actions, allowing for more precise and consistent temperature control. “PID control holds a number of benefits for the end user, including precise temperature control, stability, adaptability and energy efficiency,” adds van der Walt. “By combining these benefits, end-users will realise stable and consistent temperature, even in the presence of process disturbances or changes in the system. That means reduced deviations, preventing overshoot and undershoot, as well as longer lifespans for equipment as a result of reduced thermal stress,” he highlights. PID controllers can also respond quickly to changes in

South African electrical, control and instrumentation specialist Iritron supplies modular smart thyristor drives to the local and international mining, minerals and metals market and has recently introduced the latest leading innovations in temperature control technology.

Head of Business Development at Iritron, Neels van der Walt says, “These drives combined with advanced Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control will change the way large industries manage their heating processes, reducing costs and extending equipment lifespan.” PID control offers superior temperature control compared

Neels van der Walt, Head of Business Development, Iritron.

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18 Electricity + Control OCTOBER 2025