"TECNALIA is working on the development of comprehensive solutions for the recovery and revalorisation of waste heat from industrial processes and validates the technologies at its thermal equipment and systems laboratory"
We are working with ten Basque companies on the development of innovative high-temperature heat pump technologies for the decarbonisation of industrial processes
The alliance led by Tamoin and made up of TECNALIA, Frigolan, Sedical, Arrospe, Aratt, Miesa, Genelek, Papresa, Natra, Unilever, Basque Center for Applied Mathematics, the Energy Cluster and Bantec, researches and develops comprehensive solutions for high temperature compression or absorption heat pumps for the recovery and revalorisation of waste heat from industrial processes. Hence, the energy efficiency of industrial processes is improved and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the use of fossil fuels are reduced.
- The BEROA+ initiative focuses on designing and optimising high and very high temperature compression heat pump technologies (HTHP, VHTHP) as well as absorption heat transformers (AHT).
- It is also investigating its potential integration with complementary steam generation and thermal storage systems, as well as the optimisation and robustness of the system using machine learning techniques, thus aspiring to develop comprehensive solutions that optimise the use of waste heat in industrial processes.
- In addition to technology manufacturers, the initiative involves three reference end-users in the paper manufacturing and food sectors. Their participation is key to characterise and guarantee the applicability of these technologies, whereby they collaborate in the definition of industrial requirements and provide real scenarios for the validation of the developed solutions.
Challenges in the technological development of high-temperature heat pumps
Heat pumps are thermal equipment that either optimise the process or electrify the heat supply. Their implementation allows for more efficient and sustainable industrial processes. However, further development of these technologies is still needed.
- Technological challenges associated with the development of high (<110 °C, HTHP) and very high temperature (<160 °C, VHTHP) heat pumps include the use of low global warming power (GWP) refrigerants compatible with high operating temperatures and the compatibility of lubrication with the refrigerant at these operating temperatures (miscibility, viscosity, degradation, etc.).
- Absorption heat transformers, on the other hand, face challenges such as corrosion and crystallisation, which is particularly relevant in discontinuous operating systems with varying operating conditions. To mitigate them, the initiative consortium develops a new optimised control capable of being adapted to new fluids, such as ionic liquids, which could be designed to increase the revalorisation temperature and improve process efficiency.
Validation of new technologies
TECNALIA supports these technical developments and will validate the technologies at its thermal equipment and systems laboratory.
Through this initiative, the BEROA+ consortium contributes to the advancement of this type of technology that seeks to decarbonise the economy.
Project funded by the Basque Government’s Department for Economic Development, Sustainability and Environment (HAZITEK Programme 2023).
