Heat loss occurs in many industrial and commercial processes. This is also known as waste heat. They arise in almost every thermal or mechanical process. The range of possible sources of waste heat is therefore particularly wide. They can be used by heat exchangers, ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) systems or heat pumps to save energy and reduce theCO2 footprint. The principle is: avoid first, then consume.
Avoidance of waste heat :
- Dimensioning: The aim here is to determine whether there is unnecessary overcapacity and how this can be avoided.
- Control: This is about whether the process is controlled correctly or whether idle times can be avoided.
- Temperature level: The question here is whether the temperature is required or whether the process can also run at a lower temperature.
- Insulation: This is about whether better insulation can reduce the heat losses of a system.
- Maintenance: This is about the type and manner of maintenance, e.g. whether the system is adequately maintained.
- Alternatives: The question here is whether there are more efficient processes that produce the same or even a better result.
Utilization of waste heat:
- Waste heat can be used as useful heat or converted into useful energy such as cooling or electricity.
- The energy recovered in the company can be used in various ways, for example for heating or cooling.
Advantages of using industrial waste heat:
- High energy-saving potential: Utilizing waste heat for heating and cooling requirements leads to a reduction in energy costs
- Reduction of investments: The recovered process heat may also save investments in cooling systems
- Profitability of waste heat recovery systems: As a rule, the profitability of waste heat recovery systems, measured in terms of the return on investment, reaches double-digit figures
- Climate-friendly – waste heat is considered renewable energy
