Applications of Biogas Heat Recovery Heat Exchangers

What are the Applications of Biogas Heat Recovery Heat Exchangers?

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Generation

In a biogas - based CHP plant, the finned tube heat recovery heat exchanger is used to capture the waste heat from the exhaust of the biogas - fueled engine or turbine. The recovered heat can be used to produce hot water or steam. For example, the hot water can be used for space heating in nearby buildings, such as in a rural community where the CHP plant is located. The steam can be used for industrial processes or to drive a steam turbine for additional electricity generation, increasing the overall energy efficiency of the CHP plant.

The heat exchanger helps to optimize the energy utilization by converting the waste heat into a useful form. In a typical CHP setup, the electricity generation efficiency might be around 30 - 40%, and the addition of heat recovery through the finned tube heat exchanger can increase the total energy utilization to 80 - 90%.

Biogas Upgrading and Compression

When biogas is upgraded to biomethane (by removing carbon dioxide and other impurities), and during the compression process, heat is generated. A finned tube heat recovery heat exchanger can recover this heat and use it to pre - heat the biogas before it enters the upgrading or compression equipment.

By pre - heating the biogas, the energy required for the upgrading and compression processes can be reduced. For example, in a biogas upgrading facility, the heat recovered can reduce the energy consumption for compression by up to 20 - 30%, depending on the system design and operating conditions. This not only saves energy costs but also improves the overall economic viability of the biogas - to - biomethane conversion process.

Anaerobic Digestion Process Support

In the anaerobic digestion process that produces biogas, maintaining an optimal temperature range (usually around 35 - 40°C for mesophilic digestion) is crucial for the activity of the microorganisms. The finned tube heat recovery heat exchanger can be used to recover heat from the biogas combustion (used to power the anaerobic digestion plant) and transfer it to heat the digesters.

This helps to stabilize the digestion process and increase biogas production. In a large - scale anaerobic digestion plant, a well - designed heat recovery system using finned tube heat exchangers can improve biogas production rates by 10 - 20% compared to a plant without efficient heat recovery. The recovered heat can also be used to pre - heat the incoming organic waste feedstock, which further enhances the digestion efficiency.

Greenhouse Heating

The heat recovered by the finned tube heat exchanger can be used to heat greenhouses. Biogas is often produced on farms, and the associated heat recovery system can provide a sustainable heating solution for greenhouse cultivation.

The heated water or air from the heat exchanger can be circulated through the greenhouse heating system. This allows for maintaining an optimal temperature for plant growth, even during cold seasons. For example, in a greenhouse used for growing tomatoes, the recovered heat can ensure a temperature range of 18 - 25°C, which is beneficial for the growth and productivity of the plants.

Industrial Process Heating

In industries that utilize biogas as an energy source, the finned tube heat recovery heat exchanger can supply heat for various industrial processes. For example, in food processing plants, the recovered heat can be used for tasks such as pasteurization, sterilization, or drying processes.

In a brewery that uses biogas from its own waste treatment process, the heat exchanger can provide hot water for cleaning and sterilizing equipment, or for heating the wort during the brewing process. This reduces the need for additional energy sources for these processes and helps the industry to achieve more sustainable and cost - effective operations.