Industrial heat pumps and natural refrigerants
As industrial facilities seek to meet their sustainability targets, fossil fuel boilers are becoming increasingly outdated. Clean heat is the way of the future, and heat pumps are a well-proven technology that offers a reliable and sustainable alternative.
5 min.
ramps-up in under 5 minutes
0-1 GWP
can operate with natural refrigerants
90°C
is able to produce up to 90°C heat
Plug-in
is easily integrated into existing infrastructure
How Do Heat Pumps Work?
Heat pumps convert heat from a source to the desired temperature, usually driven by electricity. With the majority of the delivered energy from a renewable source such as air, ground, or industrial waste heat, heat pumps are an eco-friendly solution to heat generation. The energy efficiency of a heat pump is defined by the Coefficient of Performance (COP) - the amount of heat delivered divided by the electricity used. For instance, a COP of 3 means that the heat pump produces three units of heat for every one unit of electricity used.
Heat Pumps vs. Boilers
In comparison to a boiler, a heat pump can significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. As shown in the chart, a heat pump with a COP of 3 is much more energy-efficient than an industrial boiler with an efficiency of 0.95 (95%). While the cost of electricity is often higher than the alternative heat source, the energy tariff ratio is an essential factor to consider when evaluating the economic feasibility of a heat pump.
Natural Refrigerants
Heat pump technology contains a fluid that is in a closed system, and while there may be no issues with the performance, fluids that escape to the atmosphere have a negative effect on global warming. To minimize the impact on the environment, natural refrigerants such as carbon dioxide (CO2), ammonia (NH3), or hydrocarbons are preferred over synthetic substances. This guarantees a fully sustainable solution in the long term.
Environmental Impact
Greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation vary depending on the power plant location. In the EU27 countries, the average emission of CO2 per kWh of electrical energy produced is 230 gCO2. In comparison, the GHG emissions for gas is estimated to be around 202 gCO2 per kWh of gas energy value. It's important to understand the carbon footprint of a heat pump and compare it to a gas boiler. Therefore, using the same energy usage as in the previous example, and with reference to carbon intensity values, we can assess the environmental impact of the heat pump versus the gas boiler.