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Chemical: 110°C heating from 45°C cooling-water return

Illustrative cascade / two-stage concept for a solvent recovery heater, displacing LP steam.

Engineering data

Project background

A specialty chemical line used LP steam for a 105–110°C heater while rejecting heat to cooling towers at ~45°C.

Source / inputs

Source: cooling-water return 42–48°C. Sink: process oil / water 110°C. Duty: ~1.2 MW. Lift ~65 K.

Heat pump solution

Two-stage or cascade VCHP with intercooler; high-side oil rated for discharge temperature. Integration with existing steam header for backup.

COP & savings

Illustrative system COP 2.0–2.4; steam displacement dominant on continuous duty.

Investment / ROI notes

Capex higher than single-stage; ROI driven by steam price and operating hours >6000 h/y.