Contact
Dr. Sven Eckert
Head Process Diagnostics
s.eckert
hzdr.de
Phone: +49 351 260 2132
Electrification of industrial processes
The electrification of high-temperature industrial processes has great potential for decarbonization because it enables emission-intensive technologies that rely on fossil fuels to be replaced by clean, renewable electricity. Currently, 24% of the natural gas consumed in Germany is used to provide energy for process heat in industry. Electric heating with power from low-emission sources helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also offers a variety of advantages. Electrical systems can be flexibly adapted to different operating conditions, and temperature distribution and energy supply can be quickly and easily regulated.
Tasks and challenges
- Identification and implementation of suitable and innovative electrical techniques to replace fossil sources in the process industry
- Impacts on process flow, stability and safety, energy and material efficiency, and product quality must be considered
- Adjustments to models, control and monitoring concepts are necessary
- Optimal integration into the energy supply system must be ensured, since electrification will only have the desired effect if low-CO2 electricity is available at all times at a reasonable cost.
- A comprehensive approach is needed that also takes into account fundamental improvements in technologies in terms of efficiency, safety and product quality.
- The electric heating of materials with low electrical conductivity requires innovative solutions due to the poor heat transfer associated therewith.
European Project CITADEL
An international team coordinated by the Institute of Fluid Dynamics at the Helmholtz Center Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) is looking for ways to convert energy-intensive industries to renewable electricity.
Fourteen research institutions and companies from seven European countries are focusing on the production of fireproof materials, glass, steel, copper and concrete recycling.
More
Fourteen research institutions and companies from seven European countries are focusing on the production of fireproof materials, glass, steel, copper and concrete recycling.
Electric Calciner technology (ECem)
The project is researching a new limestone calcination technology that uses renewable electrical energy, which is compatible with the large-scale use of carbon capture and storage (CCUS) and the direct use of renewable hydrogen. The new technologies
should be suitable for upscaling and deploying economically viable solutions in various global markets.
More
should be suitable for upscaling and deploying economically viable solutions in various global markets.
