A few weeks ago, we covered the chemistry of compressor lubricants. This week, we’re talking math and physics as it relates to energy recovery.
When air is compressed, heat is produced. Before the compressed air is distributed into the piping system and delivered to the end-process, the heat is extracted and becomes waste unless it is recovered. More than 90% of the heat energy produced by compressing air can be recovered and reused in other manufacturing processes if the energy gained by cooling the compressor installation can be utilized efficiently.
The total amount of recoverable energy usually hovers around 94%. In the following example of heat production, a total of six percent of heat is unrecoverable due to heat remaining in the compressed air or being dissipated into ambient air.
9% Heat from the engine
72% Heat from the oil cooler
13% Heat from the after cooler
94% Recoverable heat
4% Heat remaining in the compressed air
2% Heat dissipated in the ambient air
6% Compressed air heat loss
A properly designed heat recovery unit can recover anywhere from 50-94% of the available thermal energy and heat air or water. In an air-cooled system, the heated air can be distributed by a fan to heat the building. In a water-cooled system, the cooling water can be used to supplement a hot water heating system. The hot water can then be used in manufacturing processes or for cleaning, helping to reduce the manufacturer’s use of traditional energy sources.
Learn how you can “use your energy twice” by visiting this link.
5 min
