Thermal Management of Industrial Processes

Completed

Energy Efficiency(Industry)

Basic and strategic applied research
Applied Research and Development

SOCIAL SCIENCES (Business and Management Studies)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Chemical Engineering)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Professor R Smith
Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science
University of Manchester

Dr J Kim
Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science
University of Manchester

Standard

EPSRC

15 September 2009

14 December 2011

27 months

£336,803

Process engineering

North West; North West

Energy : Energy

Professor R Smith, Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, University of Manchester
Dr J Kim, Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, University of Manchester

Prof P Thornley, Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Manchester
Dr P Upham, Process, Environmental and Material Eng, University of Leeds

Project Contact, Vertellus Specialties UK Ltd
Project Contact, Pfizer Global R and D
Project Contact, North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC)
Project Contact, E.ON UK (formerly PowerGen)
Project Contact, Veolia Environmental Services
Project Contact, M W Kellog
Project Contact, BP Chemicals Ltd
Project Contact, Alstom Power Ltd
Project Contact, Corus

Note : These grants are linked : EP/G056706/1, EP/G060045/1 and EP/G057133/1

This research project addresses the process industry contribution to the UK government goals of tackling climate change and reducing dependence on imported fuel. This programme fills these nationally important objectives by investigating the short, medium and long-term provision of energy for the UK, based on thermal technologies that exploit low grade process heat that is currently not recoveredby this industry. The results of this 'Whole Systems Analysis" research will improve plant efficiency and displace a significant fraction of fossil fuel use, thus reducing UK carbon dioxide emissions, by using techniques that are secure, clean, affordable and socially welcome. This research involves collaboration between several highly relevant industrial partners (e.g. Corus Ltd, North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) Ltd, EON UK, Veolia (Sheffield Heat & Power Ltd), Pfizer Ltd, etc) and four internationally leading academic centres of excellence (Universities of Sheffield, Newcastle, Manchester & Tyndall Centre). The research programme targets a national problem by exploiting their complementary expertise through "Whole Systems Analysis".Thus the objectiveof this research proposalis to investigate new and appropriate technologies and strategies needed for industry to exploit the large amount of unused low grade heat available. This will be achieved by providing a systematic procedure based on a comprehensive analysis of all aspects of process viability that will enable industry to optimise the management and exploitation of their thermal energy.This detailed procedurewill be backed up by a sustained channel of communication between the relevant industrial and academic parties. This multidisciplinary work is thus applicable both to existing plants and the design of future plants.Please note that the establishment of an associated but separately funded EPSRC Network (e.g. PRO-TEM) is considered to be an integral part of this project,in orderto satisfy the implicit role of technology transfer in both directions, between the process industry and the wider academic community. It will also provide access to industrial players who will provide essential case studies for the technical and socio-economic work. The case for an associated PRO-TEM Network is briefly discussed herein and the case is presented in detail in a separate proposalby Newcastle University

14/09/09