IndHP2Chem
The chemical industry in Germany is one of the most energy-intensive sectors and faces the challenge of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Integrating high-temperature heat pumps into chemical processes can improve energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Partners Evonik Operations GmbH and Fraunhofer ISE are working together to develop innovative solutions to reduce CO2 emissions and improve the industry's energy efficiency.
Many chemical processes are based on the use of natural gas to provide process heat. This entails price and supply risks as well as competition with the material use of fossil raw materials. High-temperature heat pumps (>130 °C) offer a defossilizing alternative for this purpose. In order to represent a comprehensive alternative for industry, the long-term stability of the systems must be proven. The technical integration of heat pumps also raises unanswered research questions. Unfavorable gas/electricity price ratios, low manufacturer maturity, a lack of integration and operating guidelines, and uncertainties regarding availability and control behavior are hindering factors in this regard.
The "IndHP2Chem" project aims to successfully integrate high-temperature heat pumps (HTWP) into chemical production processes. This includes a detailed analysis of efficiency and economic viability, the development of specific use cases, and the evaluation of suitable plant locations. In particular, technical and economic criteria are to be combined in order to make an informed decision about the most suitable integration options. The desired results are the optimization of energy consumption and the reduction of CO₂ emissions in the chemical industry. Through practical test runs and simulations, the aim is to create a blueprint that can serve as a model for similar industrial projects.
The work of the Fraunhofer ISE Institute combines modeling and validation with operational data collection and analysis, thus creating a generic simulation and planning tool as well as practical guidelines. A modular, data-driven approach uses measurement-based operating data from the demonstration plant and supplementary pilot data to derive parameters, loss mechanisms, and dynamic characteristic curves. Model construction and validation are carried out in stages in a dynamic simulation environment (Modelica/Dymola) with calibration based on real operating phases (>3000 h) and quantified uncertainty estimation. Parameterizable surrogate models with standardized interfaces (e.g., Mocup) are derived from the detailed model. The aim is to generate validated model components for typical process steps (e.g. drying, distillation, steam generation), operator and integration templates, guidelines for data acquisition, and an upgrade/maintenance concept including anonymized data sets.
The “IndHP2Chem” project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE).
The project »IndHP2Chem« is funded by Projektträger Jülich.
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE