TPi March 2018

Why waste heat recovery is so important ThermTech, UK

method of reducing fuel usage while providing the same boiler output, typically achieving four to six per cent fuel saving with a return in investment between six and 18 months. Even if you are only concerned about the immediate economics, it still makes a lot of sense. We also frequently see monitoring figures before and after installation, so we know it works.” Applying boiler economisers In an industrial boiler system heat is usually considered ‘waste’ when it is below 100°C, as it cannot be used in main processes for boiling, steam creation or sterilisation. This spent heat could be used for ambient heating of the factory or building, but its use is restricted to colder climates or during colder times of the year in temperate climates; in addition, installations to provide this type of heating are often large and costly.

Opinions vary on the environmental impact of carbon dioxide emissions; however, the general consensus on global warming is that doing nothing is no longer an option, and if action is not taken now the situation may be irreversible as soon as 2020. A 2016 report produced by scientific journal Climate Dynamics , analysing current CO 2 global emissions, suggests that developed nations need to reverse carbon emissions at the latest by 2030, and other nations by 2050. The process of reducing carbon emissions also frequently involves reducing other forms of pollution at the same time, simply because the release of unburnt fuels into the environment and exhaust emissions from low-efficiency burning cycles involving fossil fuel derivatives into the atmosphere can be very damaging to natural life-cycles, including our own. Why heat recovery? One of the key areas for potential energy saving in existing systems is waste heat recovery. It is important because by reducing the amount of fuel used to produce heat in a boiler installation, heating efficiency increases, resulting in lower fuel use. This serves the requirement to both increase efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Best practice for business dictates that ways to improve operational efficiency should be constantly sought out. While the humble boiler became popular over 100 years ago, it remains a major energy consumer in many factories and other types of business, generating waste heat from the spent gases used to heat the water. Luke Hall, project manager at heat recovery specialist ThermTech, supports the universal application of boiler economisers: “Using an economiser provides a guaranteed I ncreased energy efficiency is a constant challenge for industry: energy prices are rising globally so there is a short-term necessity to reduce fuel bills in order to remain competitive. There is also a prescient environmental issue that cannot be ignored. These are two strong arguments why power generation operators and energy consumers operating hot water or steam boilers ‘without’ waste heat recovery systems in place need to act now.

By reducing the amount of fuel used to produce heat in a boiler installation, the heating efficiency increases, resulting in lower fuel use

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March 2018 TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL