Innovation in energy analysis: development of GALGEM - general approach to low grade energy management
Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Reducing industrial low-grade heat generation and waste can lead to\nimproved energy efficiency, decreased environmental emissions, and reduced\nfuel costs. However, it is an area that is recognised as being underexploited.\nMany studies have been carried out, which have developed methodologies and\ntechniques for the reduction and reuse of the waste heat. Techniques are\ntypically specific to a process or industry platform. Additionally, success levels\nof heat recovery and reuse projects can be heavily dependent on the prior\nknowledge and experience of the practitioner.\nThis thesis shows the development of a new methodology called\nGALGEM (General Approach to Low Grade Energy Management), which\ncombines existing Process Integration techniques with second law of\nThermodynamics, together with analysis and heuristic rules to give a general\nguideline for energy management. The specific focus is on low-grade waste\nheat. GALGEM is based on the solid foundation of existing techniques and best\npractice. It guides practitioners through the decision-making process in order to\nexclude the less effective solutions, thus reducing reliance on tacit knowledge\nand expertise for the predetermination of success. GALGEM is designed to be\napplicable across all sectors and industrial processes. The technique was applied\nand developed through three diverse industrial case studies: an alumina\nproduction facility; a large international semiconductor manufacturing plant; and\na small food processing plant. The results of the case studies, which highlight\ndirect, indirect and combined heat exchange opportunities for waste heat\nrecovery, are presented. Opportunities with a 15.2% resultant fuel saving were\nidentified in the semiconductor manufacturing plant, while opportunities with a\n30% resultant fuel saving were identified in the food processing plant. The\nnovelty of GALGEM is the simplicity and general applicability of the approach,\nwhich is achieved without losing thermodynamic integrity. The GALGEM\nmethod offers a technique that can be successfully used in its current form, and\noffers a platform for further work and studies.
Source: Figshare
Authors: Greene Mooney, Emma Elizabeth
Language: English
Subfield: Control and Systems Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W137538218