Advancing Industrial Process Electrification and Heat Pump Integration with New Exergy Pinch Analysis Targeting Techniques

Timothy Gordon Walmsley (), Benjamin James Lincoln, Roger Padullés and Donald John Cleland
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Timothy Gordon Walmsley: Ahuora—Centre for Smart Energy Systems, School of Engineering, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
Benjamin James Lincoln: Ahuora—Centre for Smart Energy Systems, School of Engineering, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
Roger Padullés: Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Nils Koppels Allé, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
Donald John Cleland: School of Food Technology and Natural Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4474, New Zealand

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-18

Abstract: The process integration and electrification concept has significant potential to support the industrial transition to low- and net-zero-carbon process heating. This increasingly essential concept requires an expanded set of process analysis tools to fully comprehend the interplay of heat recovery and process electrification (e.g., heat pumping). In this paper, new Exergy Pinch Analysis tools and methods are proposed that can set lower bound work targets by acutely balancing process heat recovery and heat pumping. As part of the analysis, net energy and exergy load curves enable visualization of energy and exergy surpluses and deficits. As extensions to the grand composite curve in conventional Pinch Analysis, these curves enable examination of different pocket-cutting strategies, revealing their distinct impacts on heat, exergy, and work targets. Demonstrated via case studies on a spray dryer and an evaporator, the exergy analysis targets net shaft-work correctly. In the evaporator case study, the analysis points to the heat recovery pockets playing an essential role in reducing the work target by 25.7%. The findings offer substantial potential for improved industrial energy management, providing a robust framework for engineers to enhance industrial process and energy sustainability.

Keywords: process integration; pinch analysis; process electrification; heat pumps; exergy analysis; energy efficiency (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: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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