Heat pumps for low temperature heating/drying

Innovation pathway relevant to

  • Mechanical engineers
  • Industries using low temperature processes

Background & introduction

Waste heat is a major problem for industries as well as the environment. While for industries, it results in process inefficiency and high costs, for the environment it results in increased CO2 emissions.

One of the sustainable ways is the use of heat pumps to capture the waste heat and use them for low temperature heating and drying applications.

What are the key sustainability benefits?

Heat pumps have advantages with high operational efficiency and reliability, They also minimize the associated CO2 emissions and help in significant energy savings.

How does this work?

The heat pump operates on the basis of a working fluid (refrigerant) which changes state (liquid/gas) in a continuous cycle and absorbs and releases heat  It works on a thermodynamic principle where they use waste heat to increase air temperature to a more effective level.

Where is innovation needed (which part of the process)?

Challenges associated with industrial heat pumps include high upfront cost and technical difficulties in their installation. Innovations to reduce the installation costs and associated technical challenges are required.

Keywords

  • Heat pumps for industrial heating
  • Heat pumps for industrial drying

Knowledge resources

Heat Pump Drying of Fruits and Vegetables

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Drying Processes

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Industrial heat pumps to reduce energy consumption and environmental impacts in drying processes

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The composition of drying room | Air energy heat pump dryer (Video)

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How does the PILLER Industrial Heat Pump work? (Video)

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Updates

Samsung Launches AirDresser

This latest innovation uses powerful air and steam to remove dust, pollutants and germs, refreshing and sanitizing clothes to provide easy and convenient garment care in luxury living and working spaces

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Condensation drying on French soil

With the condensation drying technology, arable farmers can accurately control drying and storage conditions, without the use of gas, chemical sprout inhibitors, and it produces less CO2 emissions

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Nyle Systems Announces New Container Food Dryer

The Nyle Container Food Dryer features a dehumidification unit, air handling equipment, and touch screen controls that create a fully controlled climate within the re-engineered shipping container

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Dual source heat pump, a high efficiency and cost-effective alternative for heating, cooling and DHW production

This article presents the characteristics and performance of an innovative dual source heat pump (DSHP) for heating, cooling and domestic hot water (DHW) production

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Rethinking corn drying: drying throughout the winter using ground-stored heat

low-temperature drying using ground heat to warm the drying air can be done well into the winter using substantially less energy

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Ultra-Low Temperature Air-Cycle Machine on Double Duty as Heat Pump

The heat pump functionality of the unit “is very convenient and, most importantly, a money-saving way of using technology

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Mirai Unveils Its Most Powerful Ultra-Low-Temperature Machine Using Air as Refrigerant

Ultra-low temperature (ULT) refrigeration systems that use only air (R729) as the refrigerant, has unveiled what it is calling its most powerful machine

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