| Abstract: |
Industrial waste heat represents a critical untapped energy resource, with approximately 60-72% of global primary energy consumption dissipated as thermal losses across manufacturing sectors. This research investigates next-generation waste-heat recovery solutions, focusing on compact heat exchangers and thermoelectric generator applications in industrial settings. The primary objectives encompass evaluating the thermal efficiency of compact heat exchangers compared to conventional systems, analyzing thermoelectric generator performance parameters for low-to-medium temperature waste heat recovery, and examining integration strategies for industrial implementation. The study employs a mixed-methods research design incorporating secondary data analysis from industrial installations across steel, cement, and chemical sectors globally. The hypothesis posits that integrated compact exchanger-thermoelectric systems achieve superior recovery efficiency compared to standalone technologies. Results demonstrate that printed circuit heat exchangers achieve effectiveness values of 97.9%, while bismuth telluride thermoelectric modules attain 8% conversion efficiency at temperature differentials of 230°C. The synergistic integration of these technologies yields 25-40% energy cost reductions in heavy industries. This research concludes that next-generation waste-heat recovery systems offer transformative potential for industrial decarbonization, with compact exchangers and thermoelectric generators representing commercially viable pathways toward sustainable manufacturing. |
