Thermodynamic analysis of an industrial process integration of a reversed Brayton high-temperature heat pump: A case study of an industrial food process

Abstract

Industry, as a major emitter of CO2 in the process heat sector in Europe, needs to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy for heat supply. High temperature heat pumps (HTHP) can electrify process heat and integrate renewable electricity into industrial processes. The Institute of Low-Carbon Industrial Processes of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is developing HTHPs based on the reversed Brayton and Rankine cycles for delivery temperatures above 150°C and is investigating the industrial process integration of this novel technology. The current study considers different integration strategies of a reversed Brayton HTHP in a food production process with a heat sink at 250 °C. A thermodynamic analysis evaluates the results. This study allows conclusions to be drawn about the process integration of Brayton HTHPs in industrial food processes or other industrial processes with heat sinks around 250 °C.