Developing Design Methodology for Low-Grade Heat Recovery and Use

Low-grade heat, despite its lower temperatures, holds significant potential as a reusable energy source. However, the difficulty has always been to capture this waste energy and transform it into a usable form in a cost-effective manner. Orkhan Ahmadov, an EngD trainee in PPD program addresses these challenges through a collaborative project between TU Eindhoven and Shell PLC.
In most industrial processes, vast amounts of heat are produced and released into the environment and are often regarded as waste due to their relatively low temperature. This wasted heat could potentially be harvested and transformed into a useful energy. The challenge lies in developing an effective, efficient, and economically feasible design methodology to achieve this recovery and reuse. This project proposes an approach to harnessing low-grade heat. The aim is to develop a step-by-step methodology that can be applied to extract this otherwise wasted energy, and convert it into useful forms such as electricity, heating, or cooling.
A major aspect of this project focused on creating a flexible, adaptable design methodology that could be implemented across a broad range of industries and processes, regardless of their scale or specific requirements. This developed methodology not only optimizes energy utilization across the board, but it could also lead to substantial cost savings in energy expenses. By successfully harnessing the untapped potential of low-grade heat, we can drive a significant paradigm shift in the way we perceive and manage industrial waste heat, leading the industry towards a more sustainable, efficient, and environmentally responsible future.