HoegTemp heat pump combines ultra-high temps with low carbon emissions

Heavy industry produces roughly 22 per cent of global CO₂ emissions. Of these, about 40 per cent is the direct result of process heat production, almost entirely from the combustion of fossil fuels.

Greenhouse gas emissions from industrial combustion are greater than global emissions from cars (roughly 6 per cent) and from all transportation sectors combined (about 14 to 15 per cent). As a result, new technologies are urgently needed to reduce the environmental impact of industrial process heat.

HoegTemp is an all-electric, high-efficiency heat pump that generates temperatures up to 250 °C. Generating these kind of temperatures at a high efficiency with low energy consumption is a breakthrough. High temperature is crucial for industries such as food, chemicals and petrochemicals, and pulp and paper. Until recently, such high temperatures could only be produced with fossil fuels or electric boilers.

“Our technology will help to drastically reduce industry’s carbon footprint while lowering operating costs at the same time,” says Høeg.

Moreover, the HoegTemp heat pump recycles secondary waste heat, reducing a plant’s overall energy consumption by 50 to 70 per cent. “Since such a large share of CO₂ emissions come from industrial activity, we’re pleased we can make a difference by reusing those emissions,” he says.

HoegTemp’s working medium is helium, an inert non-toxic gas that does not deplete the ozone layer or contribute to global warming. “We are committed to using eco-friendly, all-natural, chemical-free solutions in everything we do,” says Høeg.

Thanks to its environmental profile, the HoegTemp heat pump has already caught the attention of industrial actors. Pelagia, a Norwegian processor of fish products, wants to stop using oil and gas-powered steam boilers to make its operations more efficient and sustainable.

“The HoegTemp shows promise as a reliable, energy-efficient heat pump that is able to deliver process heat with as high a temperature as we require,” says Ola Flesland, Product and Process Developer at Pelagia. “If a high-temperature heat pump is operated on electricity from renewable energy sources, we can reduce our carbon footprint from fishmeal and fish oil production to a minimum.”

European industry uses 500 TWh/year of heat between 100 °C and 200 °C. The HoegTemp heat pump will be able to generate this efficiently at a relatively low cost. The potential savings amount to some USD 17 billion, indicating a huge market potential for Enerin’s patented technology.

The HoegTemp heat pump is under development, but the technology is mature. The first prototypes will be installed in 2022, and the new generation of HoegTemp heat pumps will be commercially available beginning in 2023.

“The HoegTemp heat pump will be one of the most cost-effective new technologies out there,” explains Høeg. “Not only will it have a competitive price point, but it will also create significant long-term savings from less energy consumption and lower operating costs.”

Enerin has more than 100 years of combined R&D experience, and more than 30 000 hours of operating experience with high-temperature heat pumps.