MOST of the electrical energy that goes into your compressor is transformed into heat. Even the newest, most efficient compressor only gets a fraction of the energy transformed into compressed air that provides work. But rather than decry the laws of physics and fret over the cost of wasted energy, you can recapture upwards of 96 percent of this heat to use in productive and sustainable ways. 

First, you might have a year-round process application that could use the heat, such as:

-chemical processes

-boiler make-up water pre-heating

-electroplating or painting

-food or beverage warming

-heating water for showers, bathrooms, etc.

Alternatively, in cool or cold-weather months, heat can be used to supplement or replace space heating in warehouse, dock or production areas, or to heat make-up air.

Recovering heat from your air compressor can be done whether your compressor is water-cooled or air cooled. Capturing heat from a water-cooled unit can be accomplished with great efficiency by connecting the discharge cooling water directly to a process heating application, or via use of either OEM or aftermarket equipment designed for this purpose. For air-cooled compressors, use of standard HVAC ducting materials to redirect the warm discharge air is a relatively straightforward matter.

The return on investment on recovering heat from your compressors can range from a few months to years, dependent on the project costs to capture the heat, hours of operation and what the existing method of heating is being replaced. Not only will you likely find some nice savings or cost avoidance, but you should have a nice environmental impact – the compressors are already running and using their ‘waste heat’ will allow you to reduce the consumption of electricity or gas that was being used to generate heat previously.

For help in identifying and quantifying the opportunities for Heat Recovery at your plant, contact your local IAC Area Manager, visit www.iacserv.com, or call us at 1-877-IACSERV.