Lämpöentalteenottomenetelmät

Lämpöentalteenottomenetelmät are techniques used to recover waste heat from industrial processes, buildings, or other sources and reuse it for a beneficial purpose, thereby improving energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption. These methods are crucial for sustainability and cost savings in various sectors.

One common method is heat recovery through heat exchangers. These devices transfer heat from a warmer fluid to a colder fluid without direct contact. In industrial settings, exhaust gases from furnaces or machinery can be used to preheat combustion air or incoming raw materials. In buildings, heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) capture heat from outgoing stale indoor air to warm incoming fresh air during colder months, and vice versa during warmer months.

Another approach involves heat pumps, which can move heat from a lower-temperature source (like ambient air, ground, or wastewater) to a higher-temperature sink where it can be utilized for heating. While heat pumps require some energy input to operate, they can deliver significantly more heat energy than the electrical energy they consume, making them an efficient form of heat recovery.

Phase change materials (PCMs) are also employed for thermal energy storage and recovery. PCMs absorb heat when melting and release it when solidifying at a specific temperature. This allows for the storage of thermal energy during periods of surplus heat and its release when needed, smoothing out temperature fluctuations and providing a stable heat source.

Cogeneration, also known as combined heat and power (CHP), is another significant lämpöentalteenottomenetelmä. CHP systems simultaneously produce electricity and useful thermal energy from a single fuel source. The waste heat generated during electricity production is captured and utilized for heating or industrial processes, dramatically increasing overall energy efficiency compared to separate generation of electricity and heat. The application of these methods contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and optimizing resource utilization.