Horizon SPIRIT: Integration of heat pump technology in a sugar production plant
Poster presentation from the HTHP Symposium 2024
Bridging the Gap to Greener Industrial Practices
At the HTHP Symposium 2024, Virginia Amato, (then) Danish Technological Institute, shared cutting-edge insights from the ongoing SPIRIT project during the poster session on the first day of the symposium. This project not only demonstrates the potential for high-temperature heat pumps to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, but this initiative also paves the way for more sustainable industrial practices.
The poster presentation showcased the second demonstration case in the project, which will partially electrify the sugar production process by using a heat pump to generate steam at 138 °C, diverting 4 MW of heat from the fossil fuel-driven boiler. The long-term goal is to replace the boilers and electrify the entire process.
- The research marks a significant step towards decarbonization, and besides promising significant CO2 reductions, it also enhances efficiency and sustainability. For end-users, this means a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly production process, setting a new standard for industrial practices, says Virginia Amato, (then) Danish Technological Institute.
The integration of high-temperature heat pump technology can, thus, be an essential game-changer for the industry.
The technology provider for this demonstration case is GEA Group. The heat pump is based on a screw compressor and uses pentane as a refrigerant. The system will later this year be installed and tested to validate its efficiency and reliability at a sugar production plant located in Belgium, owned by Raffinerie Tirlemontoise - Tiense Suikerraffinaderij.
Key Highlights
Demonstration case
- A heat pump will generate steam at 138°C in a sugar production process, diverting 4 MW of heat from a fossil fuel boiler in Belgium. The goal is to fully electrify the process.
Impact
- This initiative aims for significant CO2 reductions and cost-effective, eco-friendly production.
Technology partner
- The system, using a screw compressor and pentane refrigerant, will be installed by GEA Group at Raffinerie Tirlemontoise - Tiense Suikerraffinaderij for testing.