Product news

Successful commissioning of two waste heat recovery plants in India and Italy

02 Jul 2020

A GEA Emission Control technology solution enables electricity and compressed air to be generated from otherwise unused waste heat from flat glass production lines.

ORC turbine with generator and air compressor at Pisa plant (Italy) (Photo: GEA)

ORC turbine with generator and air compressor at Pisa plant (Italy) (Photo: GEA)

Waste Heat Recovery Unit at Sriperumbudur (India) plant (Photo: GEA)

Waste Heat Recovery Unit at Sriperumbudur (India) plant (Photo: GEA)

Two plants for waste heat recovery in flat glass production lines of the Saint-Gobain Group at locations in India (Sriperumbudur) and Italy (Pisa) have now been commissioned. In Sriperumbudur, the plant is producing electricity, while in Pisa the production of compressed air and thermal energy for ambient heating are also important factors for the plant. However, both locations have one thing in common: with this GEA solution, Saint-Gobain can significantly improve energy efficiency in production and save resources. This is also shown by the characteristic data obtained to date.

In both plants, the waste heat is extracted from the flue gas in a heat exchanger and transported to an ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) via a thermal oil circuit at high temperatures around 300°C and with high flexibility. From this in turn, electrical power is produced. In addition, a compressor is operated at the Pisa plant via the ORC turbine, which contributes to the plant's compressed air supply. In winter, additional flexibility was provided by the fact that the heated thermal oil could at the same time supply thermal energy to a hot water circuit for ambient heating.

Impressive performance

After several months of operation, the plants are showing the expected performance. In this way GEA not only contributes to the sustainability of glass production and the reduction of CO2 emissions but also to the reduction of operating costs. 

The important key data of both waste heat recovery plants are summarized in the table below:

Pisa plant (Italy)Sriperumbudur plant (India)
Recovered thermal power from waste heat flue gas~ 4.500 kW~ 6.100 kW
Possible usesElectric Power generation,
Compressed air generation,
Hot water for ambient heating
Electric Power generation
Gross electric generated power~ 960kW~ 1.200kW
Net electric generated power~ 800kW~ 1.000kW
Generated compressed air volume~78 m³/min, i.N. drynot installed
Generated thermal power via hot water for ambient heatingUp to ~ 4.500 kW
(winter operation)
not installed

Media Relations

GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft

Peter-Müller-Str. 12


40468

Düsseldorf


Germany

+49 211 9136-0

About GEA

GEA is one of the world’s largest suppliers of systems and components to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. The international technology group, founded in 1881, focuses on machinery and plants, as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services.

With more than 18,000 employees, the group generated revenues of about EUR 5.4 billion in more than 150 countries in the 2023 fiscal year. GEA plants, processes, components and services enhance the efficiency and sustainability of customer’s production. They contribute significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions, plastic usage and food waste. In doing so, GEA makes a key contribution toward a sustainable future, in line with the company’s purpose: ”Engineering for a better world“. GEA is listed on the German MDAX the European STOXX® Europe 600 Index and is among the companies comprising the DAX 50 ESG, MSCI Global Sustainability as well as Dow Jones Sustainability World and Dow Jones Sustainability Europe Indices.
 
Receive news from GEA

Stay in touch with GEA innovations and stories by signing up for news from GEA.

Contact us

We are here to help! With just a few details we will be able to respond to your inquiry.