Webinars

PUMP IT UP - Industrial heat pumps for a climate-neutral European Industry Conference presented the exiting results of the EU research project DryFiciency. The industrial applications at AGRANA, Wienerberger and Scanship were demonstrated and confirmed the use of industrial waste heat creating vast potential for energy efficiency and the reduction of CO2 emissions. The three demonstrators showcased the use of heat pumps as an alternative to conventional fossil natural gas for many industrial drying processes. The technology developed shows in the first tests running across Europe that heat pumps can deliver process heat of up to 160 °C. Compared to natural gas, heat pumps have the potential to increase energy efficiency by up to 80 per cent, reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80 per cent and also cause up to 20 per cent less productions costs.

The objective of the online seminar is to provide an overview of the components used in the open-loop and closed-loop heat pump system. The open-loop heat pump system developed by the DryFiciency consortium uses advanced, low-cost, turbo-compressor technology originating from the automotive sector. It is further developed to reach condensation temperatures of up to 160°C at a combined pressure ratio of 6 when compressing steam over two stages. In the condenser, the hot excess steam reheats the process steam of the dryer. Thereby, the natural gas burner can be replaced. Closed-loop heat pump systems, also known as compression heat pumps, compress a working media (so-called refrigerants) to higher temperature levels at the heat consumer (heat sink) than at the heat source. They deliver a much higher amount of energy (heat) than the amount of energy (usually electricity) needed for their operation. Therefore, they are highly efficient waste heat recovery devices.

There is enough waste heat available in Europe to meet the demands of most of the industry and the entire building stock. Following the energy efficiency first principle, it is essential that this surplus energy is put to good use. Waste heat can be recovered and reused in numerous industrial processes as well as in district heating systems.   DryFiciency joins forces with REWARDHeat, ReUseHeat and R-ACES in a discussion on the opportunities to realising the potential of waste heat, and how they can be leveraged using the latest technological solutions! 

The purpose of this online seminar is to highlight the contribution of large and industrial heat pumps to Europe’s industrial strategy, specifically to the decarbonization of Europe’s manufacturing sector. Together with our speakers we’ll show the status quo and potential of the available solutions - how heat pumps can help make the industry and its energy circles and processes more robust for reaching climate neutrality by 2050. The benefits of using renewable and reusing waste energy in industrial processes to reduce their energy demand and to organize energy in circular flows will be highlighted, stressing its impact on the competitiveness of European manufacturers.