Brazed plate heat exchangers for heat recovery

Reusing waste heat

Manufacturing and industrial processes generate vast quantities of waste heat in the form of vapor, hot water, or hot air. In some cases, as much as half of all of the energy consumed in these processes is lost. Compact and virtually maintenance-free, SWEP brazed plate heat exchangers (BPHE) make it possible to capture and reuse this heat, improving the sustainability and efficiency of any application.

Capture low-grade energy

SWEP BPHEs can capture even low-grade energy, reducing carbon emissions and saving significant costs for both producers and end users.

Our solutions are commonly used for heat recovery in the following applications:

Air compressors
Combined heat and power generation (CHP)
The organic Rankine cycle (ORC)
Chillers
Process industry

Recovering heat from air compressors

Approximately 10% of all electricity consumed by a typical industrial facility is used to generate compressed air. For some facilities, generating compressed air accounts for 30% or more of the electricity consumed. A significant proportion of the energy consumed by compressed-air generators is converted into waste heat. If allowed to dissipate within the facility, this heat will raise the ambient temperature, necessitating the use of cooling fans that consume even more energy. Recovering and reusing the waste heat reduces the energy demands of the facility in multiple ways, significantly lowering both its cost and its carbon footprint.

SWEP BPHEs for air compressor systems

Integrated into air compressor systems, SWEP BPHEs make it possible to recover a significant portion of the total energy input. By recovering heat from the cooling oil of an oil-lubricated air compressor, SWEP BPHEs make it possible to recapture much of the system’s initial energy input. Recovering heat from the compressed air itself makes it possible to capture an additional percentage of the energy input. SWEP BPHEs also make it possible to recapture much of the initial energy input from oil-free systems.

SWEP and Airflux case story

Recovering heat from CHP

Combined heat and power (CHP), also referred to as co-generation, provides both electric power and heat from a single fuel source. In a CHP system, waste heat from electricity generation can be recovered and reused rather than being discharged into the environment. This recovered heat can be used to warm buildings, provide heat for industrial processes, or produce hot water and steam.

SWEP and Ronneby Miljö and Teknik case story

Boost efficiency

Combined heat and power (CHP), also referred to as co-generation, provides both electric power and heat from a single fuel source. In a CHP system, waste heat from electricity generation can be recovered and reused rather than being discharged into the environment. This recovered heat can be used to warm buildings, provide heat for industrial processes, or produce hot water and steam.

SWEP for CHP systems

Using SWEP BPHEs to recover waste heat from the CPH system makes it possible to recapture most of the initial energy input.
A water-cooled generator can increase heating capacity and minimize unwanted heat radiation.

Recovering heat from ORC

ORC systems use heat energy, often from geothermal sources or waste heat, to generate electricity. Heat exchangers work as evaporators, condensers or economizers in these systems.

SWEP and Acconia and Rank case story

Recovering heat from process industry

The process industry is a specialized sector that manufactures large quantities of bulk products that are essential materials for other industries. Food and beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical, petrochemical, polymer, and pulp and paper production are common process industries. These industries often handle high volumes in complex production lines that run continuously, 24 hours per day. Process industry production lines generate large amounts of waste heat. Without a heat-recovery solution in place, up to 50% of the total production energy may be lost.

Customized solutions for every need

SWEP BPHEs offer flexible solutions that suit your needs, including custom plate packages. Our BPHEs deliver excellent operational performance and long-life span with minimal maintenance.

SWEP and Outokumpo case story