Heat accounts for more than half of the global total final energy consumption, mostly produced from fossil fuels. If the ambitious targets set in the historic Paris Agreement are to be achieved, we need to accelerate heat decarbonization and create a better world for our future generations. In the drive for a carbon-neutral future, energy-efficient heat pumps are rapidly becoming the technology of choice. Using heat pumps to cool our warming planet makes a lot of sense.
What is an Industrial Heat Pump?
Unlike residential units, industrial heat pump systems deliver heating capacities from hundreds of kilowatts to multiple megawatts. They serve process heating, hot water, steam preparation, and district heating. Because they run on electricity instead of burning fuel, they cut both operating costs and on-site CO2 emissions.
How do Industrial Heat Pumps Work?
In industry and commerce, the requirements for heating and process heat are highly specific. Heat pumps can very often satisfy these needs. Thanks to their efficiency and short amortization period, they represent an environmentally friendly and economically attractive alternative to conventional heating systems. A heat pump raises heat from its source, such as water or waste process heat, from a lower temperature level to a higher one.
Coefficient of performance (COP)?
Types of Industrial Heat Pumps
- Reciprocating (piston) heat pumps: Highest temperatures and efficiencies, e.g. GEA RedGenium up to 95°C / 203°F.
- Screw compressor heat pumps: Wide capacity ranges for large continuous loads, e.g. GEA RedAstrum up to 85°C / 185°F. Customized heat pumps up to 95°C / 203°F.
Industrial Heat Pump Applications
The IEA estimates that heat pumps could cover about 30% of the combined heating needs of the paper, food, and chemical industries with technology available today (IEA). In US process heating, 20 to 50% of input energy is typically lost as waste heat. Industrial heat pumps turn that loss into usable energy.
Industrial Heat Pumps vs. Gas Boilers
4 reasons to choose heat pump technology
1. It lowers your energy consumption
Heat pump solutions, either combined with energy-efficient refrigeration systems, or stand alone can improve your heating performance significantly.
2. It decreases your operating costs
By replacing the fossil fuel based-heating system with a highly efficient heat pump, you will lower your operating costs.
3. It reduces your carbon footprint
By reducing or eliminating the use of fossil fuel, a heat pump can help you pave the way towards your zero-emission target.
4. It meets your sustainability goals
A heat pump solution is a future-proof investment, especially in the face of ever-stricter guidelines on carbon emissions and environmental compatibility.
Whatever your application, an industrial heat pump amortizes quickly over its life cycle through reduced energy consumption and lower CO2 emissions.
GEA Industrial Heat Pump Products
| Series | Refrigerant | Max. supply temp. | Heating capacity (MBH) | Heating capacity (kW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEA RedGenium | Ammonia (R717) | 95°C / 203°F |
1,700–10,200 | 200–3,000 |
| GEA RedAstrum | Ammonia (R717) | 85°C /185°F |
2,550–10,200 | 750–3,000 |
| GEA Blu-Red Fusion | Ammonia (R717) |
95°C / 203°F |
project specific | project specific |
Talk to a GEA heat pump expert about your process requirements.
Webinar
GEA Heat pumps - Products and applications
From fossil fuels to future-ready: The rise of heat pumps
Proven in Practice: Customer Cases
Six projects, six different challenges: from Aurivo's dairy in Ireland to Mars' food production, from Malmö's district heating to mine water in Gateshead. Each case shows what GEA heat pumps deliver where it counts – in live operation.
Aurivo entrusts in GEA
Aurivo, Ireland’s second largest liquid milk processor, has cut CO2 emissions at its Killygordon site by 80%, thanks to GEA’s integrated milk processing and refrigeration & heat pump system.
GEA heat pump upgrades waste heat from the London Underground to warm homes, two leisure centres and a school in Islington
The revolutionary Bunhill 2 Energy Centre – the first of its kind in the world – provides a blueprint for decarbonising heat in potential future schemes in London and around the world, reducing heating bills...
GEA delivers sustainable cooling & heating solution for Wipasz
GEA Refrigeration Technologies has delivered on a multi-million Euro project installing an integrated cooling and heat pump system in Wipasz’s new greenfield facility at Międzyrzec Podlaski in Poland, one of the most automated and sustainable...
How GEA heat pumps are decarbonizing district heating in Sweden
Read more about how GEA heat pump solutions turn waste heat from the sewage and waste incinerator plants into valuable heating for Malmö homes in Sweden!
GEA's energy-saving heat pump solution for Mars, Inc.
Mars reduces OPEX and carbon footprint with GEA industrial heat pumps. Holistic engineering solutions for food, beverage and dairy processes.
GEA is digging deep to produce clean energy
GEA’s heat pumps are crucial to Gateshead Mine Water Scheme, the largest heat recovery scheme of its kind in the country, dedicated to tackling climate change by decarbonizing district heating.
Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Heat Pumps
Service Products
GEA Ammonia Dryer
The GEA Ammonia Dryer removes water from the refrigerant cycle and makes the perfect addition to ammonia refrigeration systems along with filters and purgers.
GEA Purger
The GEA Purger removes non-condensable gases from your refrigeration system, maximizing system efficiency.
GEA Compressor Conversion Kit (GCCK)
Update your existing screw compressor packages
PR-OLEO® Premium-Quality Ammonia Refrigeration Oils
PR-OLEO® ammonia oils are the natural choice to optimize industrial cooling and heating applications operating with reciprocating or screw compressors.
GEA Omni Retrofit Panel
The intuitive touch for screw and piston compressor control. powerful, yet approachable. Cerebral, yet intuitive. Sophisticated, yet simple. Simply – GEA Omni.
GEA Service Kits for screw and reciprocating compressors
Welcome to the world of simplicity with GEA Service Kits for screw and reciprocating compressors. Our mission is clear - to make your experience with original spare parts seamless and your operations smoother than ever. "Take it easy, use a kit" is not just a tagline – it is a promise we deliver on.
GEA NEXUS
Ammonia – Providing the right temperature for change
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GEA Insights
The water equation
Across Europe, drought is a recurring reality – and no longer confined to the south. While water increasingly shapes where industries locate, its value is determined by local context. There are many technological routes to water efficiency in industrial processes, but location, energy needs and other factors are also key.
