Novel method of benchmarking energetic efficiency of industrial systems
In actual economic environment, business sustainability requires high-efficiency technological processes. While Government and Utilities Demand Side Management (DSM) programs consider energy consumption (EUsed) as a whole, proposed method splits energy in 2 (two) specific components: Ideal energy (EIdeal) and Energy at Risk (E@R). Considering these two types of energy a Benchmark Energy Factor (BEF) can be defined. BEF compares the energy used by industrial system or processes (IS&P), Eused to the minimum energy required to accomplish the task at hand Eideal. Ideal energy (power) can be very accurate calculated by using adequate (well known) laws of physics chosen function of the work type performed by IS&P, therefore a solid (not empirical) reference for benchmarking system is available. That eliminates traditional variability that uses variable baselines as “best practice” or other criteria. Volatile comparative element across an industrial sector is replaced with a theoretical goal with a scientific set-up. BEF enables a new approach towards energy efficiency in industrial sector and help level the playing field for energy management. Proposed method promotes a sustainable and consistent approach making possible to determine accurately the (E@R) under variable material and environmental conditions making possible to manage the energy losses. The rating is then solely based on how close the true energy consumption within an IS&P gets to that ideal state. From economic standpoint, these sustainability concepts favor high-efficiency systems, as any energy-efficient system translates into higher effective productivity. Paper proposes a rating system model to describe the energy-efficiency for any IS&P independent of a comparison with others. BEF enables a reliable rating system model describing energetic efficiency of any IS&P that can be used by U.S. Department of Energy-Energy-Star Certification for Plants Program replacing existent benchmarking practice. Case study assessing IS&P by using (E@R) and (BEF) concepts with development of a new standard is presented.
Using Global Efficiency Concept in selection decisions of dedicated equipments
In actual economical environment, business sustainability requires high-efficiency technological processes. That is why the efficiency concept has to be present at all levels of industrial activities.
A review of heat pump water heating systems
A heat pump water heater (HPWH) operates on an electrically driven vapor-compression cycle and pumps energy from the air in its surroundings to water in a storage tank, thus raising the temperature of the water. HPWHs are a promising technology in both residential and commercial applications due to both improved efficiency and air conditioning benefits. Residential HPWH units have been available for more than 20 years, but have experienced limited success in the marketplace. Commercial-scale HPWHs are also a very promising technology, while their present market share is extremely low. This study dealt with reviewing HPWH systems in terms of energetic and exergetic aspects. In this context, HPWH technology along with its historical development was briefly given first. Next, a comprehensive review of studies conducted on them were classified and presented in tables. HPWHs were then modeled for performance evaluation purposes by using energy and exergy analysis methods. Finally, the results obtained were discussed. It is expected that this comprehensive review will be very beneficial to everyone involved or interested in the energetic and exergetic design, simulation, analysis, performance assessment and applications of various types of HPWH systems.