Heat recovery opportunities in UK manufacturing

A database of the heat demand, heat recovery potential and location of UK industrial sites involved in the EU Emissions Trading System, was used to estimate the potential application of different heat recovery technologies. The options considered for recovering the heat were recovery for use on-site, using heat exchangers; upgrading the heat to a higher temperature, using heat pumps; conversion of the heat energy to fulfill a chilling demand, using absorption chillers; conversion of the heat energy to electrical energy, using Rankine cycles; and transport of the heat to fulfill an off-site heat demand. A broad analysis of this type, which investigates a large number of sites, cannot accurately identify site level opportunities. However the analysis can provide an indicative assessment of the overall potential for different technologies. The greatest potential for reusing this surplus heat was found to be recovery at low temperatures, utilising heat exchangers; and in conversion to electrical power, mostly using organic Rankine cycle technology. Both these technologies exist in commercial applications, but are not well established, support for their development and installation could increase the use. The overall heat recoverable using a combination of these technologies was estimated at 52PJ/yr, saving 2.0MtCO2e/yr in comparison to supplying the energy outputs in a conventional manner. A network and market for trading in heat and the wider use of district heating systems could open considerable potential for exporting heat from industrial sites to other users.

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