3 thoughts on “Problem Solved? Decarbonizing Industrial Heat is a Tough Climate Conundrum”
Sweet.
I’ve been arguing with someone on another forum who claims that it is impossible to replace the use of the high-density fuel (diesel) in heavy duty applications. He wouldn’t even accept my acknowledgment that some applications would take much longer to transition to non-fossil energy, but could get there in the end (even RE-generated hydrocarbon fuel).
I wish them a lot of success – we need every approach for all the different approaches and absolutely can’t wait on some theoretical ‘best’ technology. Humanity’s never held off on using technologies until the ‘best’ was ready, we sure can’t afford to now.
And here are a couple of discussions of the uses of heat in different industrial processes and how to get away from using fire – first one at 16 minutes, second a much more detailed discussion with a process engineer (I’m only 1/2 way through that one myself).
Minor point – nitpicking – they still have to use electricity to run these heat echangers so if those electrons are not coming from carbon free sources (wind/solar/geothermal) then their solution is not entirely carbon neutral in its operation. Ideally if they could increase the COP such that they could redirect some of that steam enough to produce enough energy to keep the HE running then they would only need external energy to get the process started – and that itself could be battery storage power.
Sweet.
I’ve been arguing with someone on another forum who claims that it is impossible to replace the use of the high-density fuel (diesel) in heavy duty applications. He wouldn’t even accept my acknowledgment that some applications would take much longer to transition to non-fossil energy, but could get there in the end (even RE-generated hydrocarbon fuel).
I wish them a lot of success – we need every approach for all the different approaches and absolutely can’t wait on some theoretical ‘best’ technology. Humanity’s never held off on using technologies until the ‘best’ was ready, we sure can’t afford to now.
And here are a couple of discussions of the uses of heat in different industrial processes and how to get away from using fire – first one at 16 minutes, second a much more detailed discussion with a process engineer (I’m only 1/2 way through that one myself).
Engineering with Rosie – Zero Emissions Heat Technologies for Industry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2NBbJX-cGM
Decouple Podcast – Why We Haven’t Decarbonized Industry… Yet – #296
Minor point – nitpicking – they still have to use electricity to run these heat echangers so if those electrons are not coming from carbon free sources (wind/solar/geothermal) then their solution is not entirely carbon neutral in its operation. Ideally if they could increase the COP such that they could redirect some of that steam enough to produce enough energy to keep the HE running then they would only need external energy to get the process started – and that itself could be battery storage power.