Recovering waste heat from compressed air systems
September 07th 2010

Compressed air specialist ABAC has developed a new system which can be used to recover the waste heat generated by compressed air systems. Called Alup Energy Box, it converts the heat generated by most air compressors into hot water up to 70ºC, for industrial processes or washroom use. As it replaces the energy normally used to fuel boilers or heaters, it saves significantly on fuel costs.

Alup Energy Box provides an easy to install packaged system that can be fitted to any make of oil injected rotary screw compressor up to 90 kW. It recovers energy from the oil circuit on the compressor via a heat exchanger, allowing a return on investment (ROI) to be achieved very quickly.

Once installed the recovered energy is obtained completely free, as a by-product of routine air compressor operation. The amount of energy it is possible to recover using Energy Box can be significant. For instance, with a relatively small 37 kW compressor, the energy available for recovery can be up to 29.9 kW. which may equate to annual heating costs of over £6000 (based on 4000 operating hours if conventional heaters or boilers are used to provide this energy).

The system is available in several sizes to suit any make of oil injected screw compressor from 11 to 90 kW, and operating with larger compressors or for longer periods can result in greater energy savings.

Further information on the Alup Enegy Box is at: www.alup.co.uk/energy-box.htm

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