Low Grade Heat Utilisation
Energy is utilised in the industry in different forms such as electricity, steam, and thermal. One of the measures of sustainability is specific energy consumption. One of the energy conservation measures is to recover and utilise low-grade heat energy in some form. Here is an overview of low-grade heat utilisation.
A plant involves generation, distribution and utilisation of energy. Typical utilities include steam, electricity, compressed air, thermic fluid apart from various water and HVAC related systems. Heat is a significant energy source in thermal power plants, refineries, metal industry, fertiliser, and petrochemical industry.
One of the fundamental outcomes of energy conservation and energy audits is the identification of energy being wasted. Mere identification of waste/low-grade heat energy is not sufficient unless it can be utilised in the Plant to reduce some form and quantity of energy. The utilisation of low-grade heat is a challenge in terms of techno-commercial viability.
Various heat forms include steam (including flash steam), condensate, hot water, hot air, hot exhaust/flue gases, engine jacket heat, compressor jacket heat, the heat of compression, thermic fluids used in different processes. Solar thermal is also one of the forms that can be utilised as an alternative heat source for applications.
Low-grade heat applications include HVAC, cleaning applications, vaporiser and water treatment.
Low-grade heat recovery and utilisation call for appropriate selection of heat transfer system and thermal insulation until the point of application.
Proper quantification of energy is critical in low-grade heat than for high enthalpy sources for appropriate cost-benefit analysis. Operational cost analysis is the main criteria for selecting the right option apart from part-load efficiency.
|
Sr. |
Application Segment |
Energy Source |
Utilisation |
| 1 | BOPP/BOPET / Polyfilm Segment with CP Plant | Process Heat from Continuous Polymerization | Steam / Hot Water
VAM for Process and HVAC |
| 2 | Complexes with Engine Based Power Generation | Hot flue gas from exhaust of the DG/GE based CPP | Hot Water
VAM for Building HVAC |
| 3 | IGCC / CHP / CCPP Power Plants | Steam | Power Generation Enhancement during summer |
| 4 | Thermal Power Plant | Excess Auxiliary Steam / Condensate/ Flash Recovery | Steam VAM for HVAC of Buildings / BFW |
| 5 | POY/PFY /Nylon/Textile Plant | Steam | VAM for HVAC or Flash Steam for Humidification |
| 6 | Air Conditioned Spaces (Once Through System) | HVAC exhaust | Hot Air (Heat recovery Wheel)
HVAC |
| 7 | Chlor Alkali Plant | Boiler/Steam | Steam / Hot Water
VAM for Process Refrigeration; hot water for LPG vaporization |
| 8 | Plant with Solar Thermal | Solar Thermal | Hot Water for LPG Vaporization; Product Cleaning |
| 9 | Plant with Multi-Stage Compressors | Heat of Compression | HoC for Process Air Drying |
TCE has a portfolio of utilisation of waste heat/low grade heat/solar heat/surplus heat for various industries including automotive industry, power plants, metal industry, petrochemicals including polyfilms, chlor-alkali, water treatment and pulp & paper.
