Many, if not most, industrial processes are designed to preheat the feed streams with heat recovery from the product and byproduct streams. Sometimes waste heat is used to generate steam for facility heating and electric power generation. Heat recovery equipment is often inefficient, and most of the low temperature waste heat (less than 250 ℃) is not used. It is estimated that 20 to 50% of the energy consumed in industrial processes is discharged as waste heat. This heat can be discharged with the flue gas, with the cooling water, and ultimately to the environment as an increase in ambient air temperature.
Technology development can improve utilization of waste heat. Improvements in heat recovery equipment can reduce energy consumption, and new applications for using low-grade waste should be developed.
This symposium explores the challenges to overcome and opportunities to expand waste heat recovery, especially at lower temperatures.
Topics include but are not limited to the following:
The Horizons Symposiums bring together industry, academia, and government research professionals to discuss technology developments, encouraging new initiatives to solve difficult problems.
