German scientists test high-temperature heat pumps for industrial heat

This development holds promise for replacing coal and other fossil fuels in hard-to-abate industrial sectors. The data gathered from the test rig is expected to assist manufacturers in designing heat pumps and heat exchangers suitable for high temperatures, substantial loads, and variable operating conditions. Heat pumps function by extracting thermal energy from various sources, such as the surrounding air, geothermal energy, water, or industrial waste heat, and then amplifying and transferring this heat where needed. The specific model tested by Fraunhofer ISE utilizes butane as its refrigerant.

While heat pumps have gained traction as a cost-effective and resource-efficient decarbonization tool, most attention has focused on lower-temperature models for residential and commercial buildings. These industrial applications are crucial for tackling emissions from heating and cooling, which are major contributors to greenhouse gas output. Political economist Alexander Gard-Murray noted that heat pumps offer benefits beyond emissions reduction, including quieter operation and improved control, leading to a better quality of life.

Estimates suggest that residential heat pumps could potentially halve the United States' energy consumption. In Europe, they are credited with preventing approximately 8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions as of 2023. The principle that "the greenest energy is the energy we don’t use" applies equally to industrial high-temperature heat pumps, especially given that they would displace energy derived from coal, the most polluting fossil fuel. The research from Fraunhofer ISE is a step closer to solving the challenge of decarbonizing difficult manufacturing processes.