Integrated high temperature heat pumps and thermal storage tanks for combined heating and cooling in the industry

Highlights: • Study of an integrated heat pump and thermal storage tank system of a new dairy. • Utilization of high temperature heat pumps with natural refrigerants. • Conducted energy and performance analysis for an energy-intensive week. • Energy and emission savings through extensive waste heat recovery. • Good process integration with total system coefficient of performance of 4.1. This study investigates the integrated heat pump system of a green-field dairy located in Bergen, Norway. The purpose of the study is to determine the energy consumption and system performance. The dairy features a novel and innovative solution of a fully integrated energy system, employing high temperature heat pumps such as the hybrid absorption-compression heat pump (HACHP) with natural refrigerants to provide all temperature levels of heating and cooling demands. To evaluate the performance an energy analysis has been performed based on available process data for a comparatively energy-intensive week in February. The results have shown that the integrated system is able to meet the occurring demands. Furthermore, the specific energy consumption with 0.22 kWh l⁻¹ product can outperform the annual average value of the replaced dairy even under difficult conditions. However, it is expected that the specific energy consumption will be further reduced on an annual basis. Through measures such as the extensive use of waste heat recovery accounting for 32.7% of the energy used, energy consumption was reduced by 37.9% and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 91.7% compared to conventional dairy systems. Simultaneous, the process achieves a waste heat recovery rate of over 95%. Furthermore, demand peaks were compensated and a system coefficient of performance (COP) of 4.1 was achieved along with the identification of existing potential for further improvements.