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The Austrian Institute of Know-how (AIT) plans to construct a warmth pump that generates steam at 184 C at 11 bars with out utilizing gasoline. The tech, which makes use of pure refrigerants, shall be used within the pharmaceutical trade.
Picture: AIT
The AIT has introduced the Superior Warmth Pump Demonstrator (AHEAD) venture. The institute and two pharmaceutical firms, Takeda and BMK, goal to construct a steam-generating warmth pump that may attain temperatures of 200 C to 260 C by utilizing pure refrigerants.
The brand new know-how will construct on an current warmth pump that makes use of a reciprocating compressor and delivers steam at 165 C, developed by Germany-based Sustainable Course of Warmth. The warmth pump is being tailored to make use of pure refrigerants as a part of the AHEAD venture.
The brand new system will first warmth water from 65 C to about 130 C, evaporating it within the course of. The vapor will then be compressed at 11 bar, heating it to over 184 C, as required for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
“The warmth pump shall be powered by electrical energy,” an AIT spokesperson informed pv journal. “The technical problem right here is that there could also be thermal issues within the compressor or issues with the chiller oil because of the excessive temperatures. Additionally, most typical refrigerants can’t be used for such excessive temperatures.”
The analysis venture would be the first to combine a steam-generating warmth pump in industrial operations, in accordance with an AIT assertion. The crew hopes the gas-free system will cut back carbon dioxide manufacturing by as much as 90% at one in all Takeda’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturing websites in Vienna, Austria.
“Trade is without doubt one of the central levers for attaining European and nationwide local weather targets. Round a 3rd of all power is consumed right here, and the sector is answerable for nearly 50% of home greenhouse gasoline emissions,” mentioned Bernd Vogl, managing director of Austria’s Local weather and Vitality Fund. “With a view to make industrial processes extra sustainable, revolutionary applied sciences should be developed and firms, analysis establishments and the general public sector should work shoulder to shoulder – as is the case right here with this ‘AHEAD’ venture.”
The AHEAD demonstrator is predicted to begin operations on the finish of 2024 and final for a interval of a yr. The venture is funded by the Local weather and Vitality Fund and is a part of Austria’s New Vitality for Trade (NEFI) analysis initiative.
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