Lubrizol’s Rouen site improved condensate recovery and reuse to reduce water consumption and lower the energy needed to reheat fresh boiler water.
Targeted audits of steam traps and process adjustments strengthened condensate network reliability and helped prevent the loss of recoverable condensate.
A daily condensate-return indicator now enables early issue detection, immediate corrective action, and continuous operational efficiency improvements.

At Lubrizol’s Rouen site, teams have taken a proactive, systematic approach to improving recovery and reuse of condensate water across the facility. Condensate—a valuable by-product of steam generation—can be returned to boilers, reducing both water use and energy needed to reheat fresh water.

To strengthen performance, the Rouen team partnered with a company specializing in steam and condensate networks to conduct detailed audits of the site’s system. These reviews focused on steam traps, which can malfunction over time and lead to the loss of recoverable condensate. Identifying and repairing these issues has helped keep the network operating as intended.

In parallel, the Rouen production department worked to adjust certain heating steps in manufacturing processes. These modifications resolved points of stress in the condensate network and improved overall system reliability.

To ensure long-term performance, the Rouen team now tracks a daily condensate-return indicator. Any drop in return rate triggers immediate analysis and corrective action, allowing the team to address issues before they escalate.

Improving Condensate Water Efficiency Through Steam System Recovery and Daily Monitoring