Design of Solar Thermal Hot Water System for Industrial Processes

Abstract

Rising sea levels, flash floods, energy crises, and increasing global temperatures are some of the side effects of the ever-increasing use of fossil fuels. The analysis of global energy resources shows a gap between fossil fuel use and renewable energy. Of these, solar energy currently ranks the lowest in usage by industry. Solar energy is abundant, non-polluting, and can satisfy the heat demand of low to medium-temperature range industrial processes, but an appropriate methodology is required for its uptake. Pinch Analysis determines the minimum hot utility required, and solar thermal energy satisfies 53 % of this requirement. Analysing the process interaction with the solar thermal fluid can give a better strategy for suitable integration. The process is analysed to determine the Heat Exchanger Network (HEN), and a solar thermal stream is introduced in the network. It becomes pertinent to see the effect on HEN and solar thermal collector areas. A single stream from the process is used to analyse and establish the interaction between the solar thermal system and the process. This analysis leads to developing a methodology for appropriately integrating solar thermal energy in industrial processes.