(Värmeteknik och maskinlära)

The overall aim of research within the Heat and Power Technology group is to develop and spread knowledge concerning rational use of biomass (including biorefinery operations), energy efficiency and CO₂ emissions reduction opportunities in industrial processes.

More specifically, research within the group focuses on industrial energy technology components and systems from a technical, economic and environmental perspective. The focus is on rational usage of energy in industrial process energy systems, and how improvements to such systems can be investigated using process integration methods and tools. In addition, the group has a strong emphasis on system aspects, particularly the impact of industrial energy usage on the greenhouse effect, and the role that such energy systems can play with respect to meeting reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions in a cost-effective way.

Our main research areas are as follows.

• Methods and tools for process integration studies of industrial energy systems
• Implementation of process integration measures in industry, including biorefineries and energy combine plants
• CO₂ emissions mitigation impact of industrial energy efficiency measures
• Techno-economic assessment of industrial energy-related process technologies
• Experimental studies of unit operations of key importance for industrial energy systems
• The role of the process industry sector in future energy systems

Industrial partners: Research is conducted in close collaboration with industrial partners within the pulp and paper industry (e.g. Södra Cell), the oil refining industry (e.g. Preem), the petrochemical industry (e.g. Borealis), the energy utility industry (e.g. Göteborg Energi), and major equipment manufacturers (e.g. Metso Power).

Funding: Funding for our research is provided by the Swedish Energy Agency (Process Integration programme), the Energy Systems Graduate Research School, the Black Liquor Gasification programme, Swedish pulp and paper research programmes (e.g. FRAM and KAM programmes), as well as direct funding from our industrial partners. We are also active in a number of international research forums, particularly the International Energy Agency’s Industrial Energy-Related Systems and Technologies.

The main research areas are described in more detail below:

Methods and tools for process integration studies of industrial energy systems

Research in this area focuses on development and use of process integration methods and tools for studying rational usage of energy in industrial energy systems, and how energy improvements to such systems can be made. Examples of energy system measures considered include fuel switching, heat recovery through optimal design and retrofit of heat exchanger networks, optimal use of excess process heat, and process integration of both key unit operations (e.g. distillation and evaporation) and efficient energy conversion technologies (e.g. heat pumps and combined heat and power). Special attention is paid to process integration aspects of retrofitting existing industrial systems. Process integration is also studied in relation to major changes in the pulp and paper industry, such as black liquor gasification and closure of bleaching plants.

Implementation of process integration measures in industry, including biorefineries and energy combine plants

Projects within this area focus on investigation of technical and economic options for integrating biomass fuel upgrading operations in existing industrial plants (energy combines). This research covers a wide spectrum of biomass conversion processes (including thermo-chemical, biochemical and chemical conversion), end-products, and host industrial sites. Research within this area also focuses on optimal use of excess process heat. Total site analyses of industrial clusters and regional energy systems are conducted in order to identify energy efficiency opportunities within widened system boundaries.

CO₂ emissions mitigation impact of industrial energy efficiency measures

Research in this area aims at the development and use of methods to identify the optimal configuration and use of different energy technologies to reduce CO₂ emissions from industrial processes, including process integrated CO₂ capture and storage. Special emphasis is placed on studying the way future energy policy instruments will impact investment decisions regarding CO₂ emissions reduction in industry.

Techno-economic assessment of industrial energy-related process technologies

In this area we focus on investigating the techno-economic potential for different energy advanced and innovative industrial process technologies in specific application contexts. Technologies considered include for example combined heat and power, biorefinery processes, heat pumps, process integrated evaporation, etc.  Applications of such technologies in district heating and cooling systems are also considered, with emphasis on large-scale heat pumps.

Experimental studies of unit operations of key importance for industrial energy systems

Examples of important unit operations are e.g. black liquor evaporation and evaporation/condensation of refrigerants (with emphasis on mixtures). Experimental research activities in this area focus on measurements and modelling of heat transfer characteristics and scaling.

The role of the process industry sector in future energy systems

Research within this area is connected to the ongoing international project “Pathways towards Sustainable European Energy Systems” that aims at evaluating and proposing robust pathways, or bridging systems, towards a sustainable energy system in Europe. The focus is on the stationary energy sector. Research within our group focuses on analysis of the industry sector and interaction between the industry sector and other sectors, particularly the power and transportation sectors.