Improving the energy utilization rate of chillers and reducing energy consumption are what all chiller manufacturers have been pursuing. Heat recovery technology is the result of continuous innovation by many companies and engineers. A cooling system with heat recovery function can use the discharged waste heat to provide heat for the process. How is this achieved? What are the benefits for the company?

What is heat recovery technology?

Before understanding heat recovery technology, you need to understand condensation. The condensation process is carried out in the condenser, using water or air to absorb heat from the high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant gas, allowing it to condense into liquid. This absorbed heat is usually called waste heat, or is dissipated into the air through a fan or a cooling tower.
 
However, in the heat recovery chiller system, we no longer discharge them directly. Instead, through a heat exchange device, this waste heat is transferred to other places for heating, realizing waste into treasure. This process is heat recovery.

Working principle of heat recovery technology

A chiller’s heat recovery system typically includes a condenser, a heat recovery heat exchanger, a hot water circulation water circuit and a control system. After compression, the high-temperature refrigerant gas first passes through the heat recovery exchanger, located upstream of the main condenser. Part of its thermal energy is transferred through the heat exchanger walls to the water on the opposite side. 
 
The water absorbs the heat of the refrigerant, and its temperature gradually rises, while the temperature of the refrigerant slowly drops. However, the refrigerant that has lost some of its heat is still in gaseous form. It will enter the main condenser, where it transfers the remaining heat to the cooling water or air and completely condenses into liquid.
 
The heated hot water will flow out of the heat recovery heat exchanger and enter the hot water circulation pipeline. The control system can control the amount of water flowing through the heat exchanger by controlling the valve opening on the hot water side to adjust the recovered heat. For example, when the demand for hot water is large, the control system will open the valve wider to increase the flow on the water side and recover more heat.

Advantages of heat recovery chillers

Energy saving

The heat recovery chiller can recover the waste heat that was originally discharged into the air for heating, avoiding heat energy waste. The hot water that originally required a heater or boiler to provide can now be obtained at the same time as long as the chiller is cooling. When the heat demand is not high, it can meet the demand without purchasing additional heating equipment. Help you reduce purchase and operating costs.

Environmental protection

Heat recovery technology is a typical representative of energy cascade utilization. Heat recovery chillers can maximize the use of waste heat generated by the refrigeration system that would otherwise be discharged, helping companies reduce their reliance on primary energy and reduce carbon emissions. In some countries and regions, companies using heat recovery chillers can also apply for energy-saving subsidies provided by the government.

Stability

The heat recovery system removes some of the heat from the refrigerant gas, which reduces the burden on the cooling water system and fan, allowing the chiller torun more stably. Moreover, as long as the chiller is cooling, the heat recovery system will continue to produce hot water, and the production of chilled water and hot water is almost synchronized. This has high temperature control stability for processes that require both cold water and hot water.

Schlussfolgerung

If you want to reduce energy costs through waste heat recovery, heat recovery chillers are an ideal choice. LNEYA offers a variety of standard and customized heat recovery systems, designing and producing the most suitable model for your unique application. If you are interested in this, contact our team and tell us about your cooling and heat recovery needs.