Thermal Energy Efficiency in Industrial Processes

Abstract

Thermal energy used for heating and cooling represents a significant proportion of total energy use in industrial processes and is largely supplied by fossil fuels. Mechanical operations primarily powered by electricity also consume a large amount of energy. Both heating and cooling operations as well as mechanical operations release large amounts of heat into the environment; therefore, careful management of thermal energy is a key factor in reducing overall energy consumption and emissions. Energy‐related pressures, incentives, and opportunities provide a strong business case to invest in improving energy efficiency. These include customer demand for “green” products, national taxes, and financial incentives, and rising fuel costs. Against this backdrop, the prioritization of the sustainability agenda by research funders coupled with the pressure on research organizations to ensure the transfer of novel technologies to industry creates an ideal landscape for substantial advancement in industrial energy efficiency. Successful movement of novel technology to industry should, however, be supported by concepts, methods, and practices derived from industrial context and needs. Accordingly, initial implementations often bring to light new research challenges, both technical and methodological. To enhance the use of energy‐efficient methods in industry, the definition and measurement of efficiency must be tailored to industrial needs and technologies ready for adoption must be identified and presented in relation to existing technology. In addition, detailed case studies of energy use should be documented to provide insights to both researchers and practitioners, identifying both realistic improvements and barriers to application of energy‐efficient measures.

Modelling of A Solar Thermal Energy System For Energy Efficiency Improvement In A Ceramic Plant

“…In respect to equations ( 4)-( 6) that describe the thermal processes, the total supplied heat in the boiler (q supply (kJ/h)) may be calculated considering the fuel's lower heating value (LHV), attending to equation (1) (only valid for the case in which there is only one heat source, which is fuel). For the case in which more than one heat source exists to supply thermal energy to the kiln, it is necessary to consider an additional heat parcel as described by equation (2), which corresponds to additional thermal energy contained in the inlet water stream (q additional (kJ/h)), as described by equation (3). It is to note the remaining nomenclature used in the set of equations ( 1) À (3): M fuel,initial À Baseline case fuel mass flow rate (kg/h), M fuel À Fuel mass flow rate (kg/h), M comb,Air À Combustion air flow rate (kg/h), C P,Comb,Air À Air heat capacity (kJ/(°C.kg)), M Water À Water mass flow rate (kg/h), C P,Water À Water heat capacity (kJ/(°C.kg)), T Water À Water inlet temperature at the boiler (°C), T Water,initial À Baseline case Water Inlet Temperature (°C).…”

“…Within European industry, such high energy consumption level is mainly due to thermal energy use, accounting for 70% of the total energy use [2]. Thermal energy is primarily generated by the burning of a fuel (such as natural gas) within the operation of a combustion system [3]. The implementation of energy efficiency improvement relies on the application of several measures [4].…”

An overview of renewable energy resources and grid integration for commercial building applications

“…This advantage can enable the demand side to shave the peak as well as to stabilise the load demand. The ESS also permits the management of renewable generation for an optimal power supply [58,91,92].…”

“…From the supply to the demand side, the integration of energy storage system offers the possibility of maximising the use of renewable energy by minimising the use of fossil fuel and the development of a future smart grid system [92]. The ESS in the electrical grid can be described by different usages which depend on the frequency and the duration of the operation.…”

State-of-the-Art Technologies on Low-Grade Heat Recovery and Utilization in Industry

“…Exploiting the utilization of industrial waste heat and adopting more thermally efficient practices are examples of possible ways to improve industrial energy efficiency [3]. During industrial processes e.g.…”