{Integration of a solar thermal system in a medium-sized brewery using pinch analysis: Methodology and case study}

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Title{Integration of a solar thermal system in a medium-sized brewery using pinch analysis: Methodology and case study}
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsEiholzer T, Olsen D, Hoffmann S, Sturm B, Wellig B
JournalApplied Thermal Engineering
Volume113
Pagination1558–1568
Date Publishedfeb
ISSN13594311
AbstractIn the food industry a major portion of thermal energy is required for low temperature applications (below 100°C). As a consequence, there is a significant potential to substitute fossil fuels by the use of solar heat. This paper presents a methodology that first uses pinch analysis to optimize a medium-sized Scottish brewery from a direct heat recovery perspective followed by the integration of a solar thermal system. Both the time average model and time slice model were used to determine direct and indirect heat recovery potentials. In a second stage, an optimization of a chosen integration point was conducted to assess the viability of the resulting design concept. The economic analysis includes an assessment of the impact of restrictions in the UK government's Renewable Heat Incentive program. It was determined that since solar thermal systems are financially supported up to an installed capacity of 200kW, solar heat can only account for a maximum of 7.7{%} of the heat demand based on the investigated brewery. However, if there was no limitation in capacity, from an economic point of view, the solar fraction could almost be doubled drawing into question the need for the restriction. Nevertheless, a CO2 saving potential of approximately 38tons per year in conjunction with a payback period of 6.4years was determined.
URLhttp://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1359431116318257
DOI10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.09.124