Analysing the use of waste factory heat through exergy analysis

Panel: 2. Sustainable production design and supply chain initiatives

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Sanober Hassan Khattak, Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development (IESD), De Montfort University, United Kingdom
Richard Greenough, Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development,
De Montfort University of Leicester, United Kingdom
Ivan Korolija, Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development,
De Montfort University of Leicester, United Kingdom
Neil Brown, Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development,
De Montfort University of Leicester, United Kingdom

Abstract

When analysing the energy efficiency of a factory, it is useful to consider the whole system including both the manufacturing processes and the factory building. The latter is included due to its significant energy usage associated with production. The depletion of natural resources can be linked to the consumption of stocks of non-renewable exergy, and an analysis of this can be used to quantify the impact on natural resource consumption. This paper presents a case study into the use of waste heat from a factory building to supplement the heating system.

An engine machining line within an automotive factory is analysed, using a simulation based approach in which the factory heating system is compared with and without heat reuse. The results quantify and compare the changes in efficiency and resource use based on both energy analysis and exergy analysis; effectively quantifying natural resource consumption due to changes in the manufacturing system.

Note

Table 2 has been updated, and therefore differs from the table in the printed and flash drive versions of this paper.