Industrial Heat Recovery
Using heat pumps for the sustainable reuse of waste heat
Successful industrial companies around the globe focus on two key elements in their production process: product optimization and cost reduction. Imagine the synergistic benefits if both could be achieved together while reducing carbon footprint. At GEA, we help customers do just that by providing industrial heat pump technology for their facilities.
Why heat pumps?
Around 60 percent of the total cost of processing is typically linked to energy consumption, so that’s where the greatest cost-reduction potential lies. In addition to providing customized industrial refrigeration solutions, GEA optimizes processing-related water and energy resources to prevent waste heat from being lost to the atmosphere. This saves energy for our customers and reduces their carbon footprint.
Our customized heat pumps will:
- Minimize energy consumption
- Reduce operational costs
- Lower CO2 footprint
See how it works
Heat pumps are a significant driver in the reduction of CO2 and NOx emissions, especially now that the electricity grid is being increasingly decarbonized through more use of wind and solar energy. In this way, heat pumps can make an impact on the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals.
What does the heat pump do?
A heat pump prevents waste heat from leaving a refrigeration plant by reusing it, and upgrading it to become useful elsewhere in the production process for functions such as:
- Washing and cleaning water operations
- Heating water for processing purposes such as pasteurization, blanching and drying
GEA heat pump plant installed at Mars, the Netherlands (Photo source: RCC K&L)
Heat pump example
This dairy processing example above illustrates the levels at which sustainable heat may be managed in order to achieve a zero-carbon-emission solution.
Level 1: Reusing energy that flows directly via heat exchangers.
Level 2: Applying a heat pump to elevate the temperature level to a higher value.
Level 3: Harvesting solar heat (directly from solar collectors or indirectly from geothermal heat) and applying it directly in the process after a temperature lift with a heat pump.
Range of heat pumps
GEA offers a comprehensive array of heat pumps for process industries. We provide state-of-the-art technology and customize our solutions to meet customer requirements, spanning from 300 to 10,000 kW. The key component is the proven high-quality, high-efficiency GEA ammonia screw and piston compressors.
On-demand webinar
Industrial Heat Recovery
Decarbonizing industry, one heat pump installation at a time
Heat pump eCalculator
powerful, future‑ready solution for decarbonizing industrial processes.
GEA meVap®
Products & Technologies
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GEA Grasso FX GC / GEA Grasso FX GCduo
The chillers of this series are characterized by great part-load efficiency.
GEA Omni Control Panel
The intuitive touch for machine control technology.
Customized GEA heat pumps
Customized heat pumps are designed for optimized efficiency and a wide range of temperatures and capacities. They serve all common industrial applications and district heating. They are applied when special conditions or requirements outstrip the limits of our standard heat pumps.
FES Premium-Quality Refrigeration Oils
FES oils are the natural choice to optimize industrial cooling and heating applications operating with reciprocating or screw compressors.
Energy Recovery Unit
NEXUS - GEA's Holistic Engineering Solutions
Heat to cool our planet for generations to come
Downloads
GEA Insights
Innovating for impact: shaping better solutions for customers
Industrial production is being asked to use fewer resources, become smarter and keep equipment productive for longer. At GEA, that is changing how innovation happens: engineering, customer insight, digital expertise and service come together earlier – when a solution can still be shaped at its core.
