Paper Technology International 2024 - Journal - Page 60
PAPERTECHNOLOGYINTERNATIONAL
Figure 4: P&I Diagram for a waste heat recovery system
An example diagram of a waste water cooling system in a
concept project for a paper mill above:
Here the waste water will be cooled down to 18 °C in Winter,
and to 25,5 °C in Summer, and the warm side will provide heat for
64 °C. In this occasion the cooling aspect is more important in the
winter, as in winter the allowed discharge temperature is lower as
in summer, but the process produces always warm waste water.
During the times heat recovery is not a viable option on the mill,
dry cooler will act as a heat sink to make sure the waste water
temperature is regulated at all times.
Heat Recovery Applications:
The recovered heat from the cooling process is not wasted;
instead, it is redirected for various applications within the paper
production process. One primary application is the pre-heating of
process water. By utilizing the recovered heat, BM Green Cooling
GmbH assists paper mills in optimizing their energy consumption
and reducing overall operational costs. The incorporation of heat
recovery into the production cycle aligns with the principles of
circular economy and resource ef昀椀ciency.
Future Prospects for heat recovery with heat pumps: HighTemperature Heat Pumps for Steam Production:
As technology continues to advance, BM Green Cooling
GmbH envisions a future where high-temperature heat pumps
can directly produce steam for industrial processes. While this
concept is still in the development phase, the potential bene昀椀ts are
substantial when it becomes commercially available. Steam is a vital
component in paper production, and the ability to generate it through
heat pumps would mark a signi昀椀cant leap towards sustainability in
the industry.
As the temperatures provided by the heat pumps are
increasing in the next years, also other exciting possibilities will
open in the heat recovery section as the heat harvested from
low level temperatures can be implemented in higher and higher
temperatures on the receiver side. At the moment several European
heat pump manufacturers are making pilot projects for heat pumps
that can reach 200 °C and above on the condensation side.
Advantages of Steam Production with Heat Pumps:
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Reduced Dependency on Fossil Fuels: Steam is
traditionally generated through the combustion of
fossil fuels. The integration of high-temperature heat
pumps could reduce this dependency, contributing to a
signi昀椀cant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as
less steam needs to be produced with fossil fuels.
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Increased Energy Ef昀椀ciency: Heat pumps are known
for their high ef昀椀ciency in converting low-grade heat
into usable energy. By employing them for steam
production, paper mills can enhance their overall
energy ef昀椀ciency, aligning with global sustainability
goals.
Challenges and Considerations:
While the prospects of utilizing high-temperature heat pumps
for steam production are promising, there are challenges that need
careful consideration. These include technical feasibility, scalability,
and economic viability. The development phase requires thorough
testing and optimization to ensure seamless integration into existing
paper production processes, and for the technology to mature
enough to be 昀椀nancially viable option for the application.
In the temperature level of under 100 °C heat pumps
there are already applied and proven systems for heat recovery.
Connecting these heat pumps to the water 昀氀ows on the paper mill
in a way that bene昀椀ts the process, utilizes the waste heat effectively
and remains easy to use and service needs meticulous planning to
achieve the best possible system.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the paper industry faces increasing pressure
to address environmental concerns associated with waste water
temperature. BM Green Cooling GmbH emerges as a pioneer in
providing sustainable cooling solutions for paper mills through its
innovative heat recovery solutions with heat pumps.
By ef昀椀ciently cooling waste water and recovering the heat for
bene昀椀cial applications within the production process, the company
not only helps paper mills comply with stringent regulations but also
contributes to resource ef昀椀ciency and environmental sustainability.
The ongoing development of high-temperature heat pumps holds
the promise of further elevating the industry’s sustainability, marking
a positive way towards a greener and more responsible future for
paper production.
As industries worldwide strive to balance economic
prosperity with environmental responsibility, energy ef昀椀ciency
solutions like those offered by BM Green Cooling GmbH become
integral components of a sustainable and resilient future.
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