5 Major Uses of Waste Heat Recovery from Air Compressors – A New Option for Energy Saving in Enterprises
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Air compressor waste heat recovery products are continuously used in various industries, with numerous customer examples. 5 ways to utilize the waste heat from air compressors: 1. Using the waste heat to generate hot water for employees’ bathing. Example: XX Precision Equipment Factory – The factory has 4 dormitory buildings housing over 3,000 people, who consume 150 tons of hot water per day. Previously, hot water was supplied by air-source heat pumps and gas boilers, resulting in annual energy costs of over 1 million yuan. By modifying 3 24/7 operating 250kw oil-based screw air compressors, the original heating method is replaced to meet the water needs for bathing over 3,000 people. The main water pipe for this project is small, the water temperature reaches 65°C, and only a 3kw pump is required.
2. Recovery of waste heat from air compressors to heat cleaning tanks: Example – XX Home Appliance Manufacturing Factory, where the painting line was heated using gas boilers, resulting in annual costs of over 2 million. Several modified 110kw and 250kw oil-driven screw air compressors are used to supply 6 spraying lines, heating a total of 18 cleaning tanks ； The excess hot water is provided for employees to use for bathing.
3. Recovery of waste heat from air compressors for drying paint: Example – XX Daily Necessities Factory. The factory previously used incandescent bulbs to dry paint; the area covered by these heating elements was 800 m2. Drying paint using the heat radiation from bulbs is energy-intensive, inefficient, and poses safety risks. By modifying 3 37kw oil-based screw air compressors to completely replace the bulb radiation drying method, 240,000 in electricity costs can be saved each year.
4. Recovery of waste heat from air compressors for heating dormitories and office areas. Example: XX Steel Pipe Manufacturing Factory – The factory previously used natural gas hot water boilers to heat the dormitories and offices; the total heating area was 3,000 m2, with 300 m3 of natural gas being burned per day. It is necessary to upgrade 5 Sullair oil-injected screw air compressors with a capacity of 110 kW that operate around the clock, in order to meet the heating needs of the offices and dormitories; this will result in annual savings of 360,000 yuan in gas costs.
5. Waste heat recovery from air compressors helps maintain a constant temperature in the workshop. Example: XX Shipbuilding Factory used to have a burner with a capacity of 500,000 kcal, which was used to maintain a constant temperature of 40°C in a painting workshop covering an area of 3,000 m2; this required 800 yuan worth of standard coal per day. By recovering the heat from 5 500kw oil-injected screw air compressors to replace the original burners, the heat requirements of the painting workshop are met, resulting in annual savings of 300,000 yuan in coal energy costs.
Indeed, this is the issue of coordination and unity. In many factories, the low-temperature heat is used for heating and water needs for daily life. It is economically worthwhile, but it’s a pity as to how demand and supply can be aligned; moreover, demand is intermittent, while industry operates in a stable and continuous manner. Greater demand, model upgrades, and the emergence of energy storage systems.
Yes, it’s mainly a problem related to energy storage. Today we met with a supplier to discuss this issue – where the waste heat can be used and how it can be utilized.