Economic Optimization of Rotary Heat Exchangers Using CO 2 Pricing Scenarios Based on Validated Fluid Dynamic and Thermodynamic-Based Simulation

Eloy Melian, Harald Klein and Nikolaus Thißen
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Eloy Melian: Institute for Industrial Ecology (INEC), Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences, 75175 Pforzheim, Germany
Harald Klein: Plant and Process Technology, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany
Nikolaus Thißen: Plant and Process Technology, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 13, 1-19

Abstract: Rotary heat exchangers have been widely used in paint shops, combustion power plants, and in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in buildings. For these processes, many types of heat exchangers are available in the market: Tube-shell heat exchangers, plate heat exchangers, and rotary heat exchangers, among others. For the rotary heat exchangers, the problem is that there is no net present value method and lifecycle assessment method-based optimization found in the literature. In this work, we address this issue: An optimization is carried out with help of an empirically validated simulation model, a life-cycle assessment model, an economical assessment, and an optimization algorithm. The objective function of the optimization simultaneously considers economic and environmental aspects by using different CO 2 pricing. Different CO 2 pricing scenarios lead to different optimization results. The ambient air empty tube velocity v a , 2.1 optimum was found at 1.2 m/s, which corresponds to a specific mass flow m s p of 5.4 kg/(m 2 ·h). For the wave angle β , the optimum was found in the range between 58° and 60°. For the wave height h * the optimum values were found to be between 2.64 mm and 2.77 mm. Finally, for the rotary heat exchanger length l , the optimum was found to be between 220 mm and 236 mm. The optimization results show that there is still potential for technical improvements in the design and operation of rotary heat exchangers. In general terms, we recommend that the optimized rotary heat exchanger should cause less pressure drop while resulting in similar heat recovery efficiency. This is because the life cycle assessment shows that the use phase for rotary heat exchangers has the biggest impact on greenhouse gases, specifically by saving on Scope 2 emissions.

Keywords: rotary heat exchanger; thermal wheel; Kyoto wheel; optimization; CO 2 pricing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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