Prof. Hewitt (University of Ulster)

Rationale

The potential for CO₂ emissions reduction from heat recovery from the food and chemicals sectors alone is greater than 1.0 MtCO₂ per year . Current heat pump technology has a role in recovering such energy streams but is generally limited to the production of hot water in the range of 70-80 C. Whilst important, there is a limit to the number of applications where hot water can be utilised. Steam remains the energy transfer medium of choice for much of the process industry and a heat pump solution that could generate temperatures high enough to create steam would be particularly attractive as the energy recovered could be applied to all existing heat processes without the need to modify existing production processes and equipment.

Challenge

Working at these temperatures requires unconventional working fluids and means of compression and there are potential materials compatibility/corrosion issues.

Objectives/Deliverables

• Evaluation of novel mechanical, heat driven and hybrid cycles for steam raising.
• Critical analysis and evaluation of ongoing research programme at Spirax Sarco.
• Laboratory/Industrial investigation of potential systems or components as appropriate.
  

Pathway to Impact

Thermodynamic and economic analysis steam raising heat pump technology, evaluation of a test program and explore completely new approaches – sorption systems, re-sorption cycles, etc.