TECH TIPS NEWSLETTER

This newsletter is dedicated to you, the reader with the goal of improving your ultrasonic inspection skills and enhancing your value to your company or clients. As always, we welcome your participation. If you have questions or seek advice about your inspection techniques or programs, or if you wish to share your experiences with others, please e-mail your contributions to us at info@uesystems.com.

Energy Costs are rising; let's do something to cut Energy Waste
Did you know that industry uses more than 1/3 of all energy consumed in the USA, and that most of the energy used by industry is supplied from natural gas and petroleum?

With the cost of oil looming at record rates ($45-$54/barrel), we have to brace ourselves for the impact on our fuel bills. Back in the 70's we had the Oil Embargo, which shot our energy costs up ten fold and beyond. With a push towards energy conservation and a drive towards efficiencies, over time, we were able to minimize the impact and move on to a point where in the 90's energy was almost an afterthought

The recent rise in oil prices has brought us back to the realization that energy is expensive and the cost will continue to increase. Many countries are joining the industrialized world and are increasing their demands for oil, which has placed a burden on suppliers. This, too, will add to the price of oil. Any drop in prices will only be temporary.

Once again companies are realizing that to be competitive in the marketplace they must be energy efficient.

Tech Tips Newsletter UE SOUND BITES . . . The Ultrasound Newsletter published by UE Systems, Inc. Information… Product News… Advice… Dialog Volume 5, Issue 7 September, 2004
T O P I C S Energy Costs are rising; let's do something to cut Energy Waste Ultraprobe Tip Comments & Contributions Training Schedule T E C H – L I N K S *Ultrasound World* The "TOP GUN" Conference where the BEST of the BEST come to get better	This newsletter is dedicated to you, the reader with the goal of improving your ultrasonic inspection skills and enhancing your value to your company or clients. As always, we welcome your participation. If you have questions or seek advice about your inspection techniques or programs, or if you wish to share your experiences with others, please e-mail your contributions to us at info@uesystems.com. Energy Costs are rising; let's do something to cut Energy Waste Did you know that industry uses more than 1/3 of all energy consumed in the USA, and that most of the energy used by industry is supplied from natural gas and petroleum? With the cost of oil looming at record rates ($45-$54/barrel), we have to brace ourselves for the impact on our fuel bills. Back in the 70's we had the Oil Embargo, which shot our energy costs up ten fold and beyond. With a push towards energy conservation and a drive towards efficiencies, over time, we were able to minimize the impact and move on to a point where in the 90's energy was almost an afterthought The recent rise in oil prices has brought us back to the realization that energy is expensive and the cost will continue to increase. Many countries are joining the industrialized world and are increasing their demands for oil, which has placed a burden on suppliers. This, too, will add to the price of oil. Any drop in prices will only be temporary. Once again companies are realizing that to be competitive in the marketplace they must be energy efficient.
The good news is that we can do something about it. We have the tools to reduce our energy bills. Those of you who have taken the Level I course have already learned how to perform steam and compressed air leak audits. For those of you who have not yet taken this course, now is the time to consider doing so. Learn how to prepare, perform and report your results and demonstrate savings. Your efforts can mean a lot to the profitability of your company. If you want to get a jump-start on learning about compressed air audits, Kevin Whitehead of TVA is offering a short course (free) to attendees of Ultrasound World this October 24-27. Ultraprobe Tip: Every so often you may come upon a situation where you're holding your Ultraprobe at an odd angle where you may have difficulty reading the meter. If you have a 9000 or 10,000, here's a way to freeze your meter readings so that you can read your meter. For 9000 users, push the store button once. While continuing to hold the trigger in, remove the instrument from your test point and look at the meter. The test data will be shown in the lower left part of your display panel. 10,000 users, with the instrument in the "Timed Off" mode, release the trigger; the display panel will freeze your reading until you either press the trigger again or let the unit turn off. If you have the analog instruments and possess an EXC Interconnection Cable, you can insert your test module into one end of the cable and plug the other end into the Ultraprobe. Perform the test while watching the meter. Comments and Contributions: One of our Level I students, Carlos Garza of Industrias ControlPro S.A. de C.V. in Mexico has sent a technical paper to us demonstrating an amazing result. They set up a PDM procedure for testing valves. Of specific interest was a turbine bypass valve, 12"x24". A steam leak through this valve cannot only effect plant efficiencies, it can cost a lot of money. During one of their inspections, a steam leak was found in this valve using the ABCD method. They quantified the loss at an annualized savings of $1,611,320.00. Way to go Carlos! Training Schedule: Typically as the year moves into the last quarter, our classes tend to fill up. If you are planning on attending we urge you to sign up as soon as possible to reserve your spot. Level I: September 13-17, 2004: Toronto, Canada October 4-8, 2004: Los Angeles, CA November 1-5, 2004: Greenville, SC November 15-19, 2004: Chester, UK Come join the "Best of the Best" at the Ultrasound World Conference, Clearwater Beach, Florida, October 24-27, 2004. The only conference dedicated to Airborne Ultrasound Technology. Register early to secure a great hotel rate. To learn more: http://www.uesystems.com/ultrasound-world/UWC.html More articles will be posted periodically. Please check back. If you do not wish to continue to receive this newsletter, please let us know via email. Contact us at info@uesystems.com.

UE SOUND BITES . . . The Ultrasound Newsletter published by UE Systems, Inc.