Heat Pump Applications at BP Refinery in Gothenburg

Energy system studies according to the Pinch Technology have shown that one way to reduce the energy consumption at the BP Refinery would be the use of a heat pump for low-pressure (4.5 bar) steam production. As heat source heat from hot products or from a special water system, providing the Volvo factory close to BP with heat, could be used. The technical and economical calculations have shown, that for raising 7 tons/h steam with an evaporating temperature of 60-70°C, a two-stage heat pump (Rl14jH 0) is needed. The total investment cost w~en hot products are used as heat source is 70% higher than the cost of the heat pump itself and the pay-back period is about 3.5 years. With the Volvo water as heat source the pay-back period ranges between 2.0-2.6 years (for direct steam compression) with small annual energy recovery and nearly 3 years (two-stage heat pump) with high annual energy recovery.