Industrial Heat Pumps
A range of industrial heat pumps for medium (75°) and high temperature applications (up to 120°C). Units operate on R290 Propane, R744 CO2, R600a isobutane, R1234ze & R1233zd refrigerants.
Heat Pumps – The Aqua ProHeat Range
Heat pump technology has evolved over recent years, and now provides a highly cost effective, renewable approach to temperature control.
Our Aqua ProHeat units are suited to both mid temperature (75°C) and high temperature (up to 120°C) applications.
By transferring heat from the external air – or recycling it from a waste heat source – rather than generating it, heat pumps offer a host of benefits. These include minimal operating costs, reduced carbon impact and impressive levels of energy efficiency.
If you require cooling & heating – or just heating – find out how our Aqua ProHeat range could transform your business for years to come.
How Do Industrial Heat Pumps Work?
Heat pumps use the thermodynamic cycle to transfer heat from air, or water, which can then be used for heating. Refrigerant circulates within the system and is key to the heat transfer process. Our range includes three types of heat pump.
Air to water – heat from the ambient air is taken and boosted to the required temperature by way of the thermodynamic cycle. These units are suited to commercial or industrial applications that need a direct hot water source, for example public facilities such as schools and hospitals or low-grade heating in industrial processes.
Aqua ProHeat units work with an external air temperature as low as -15°C. They can achieve 85°C hot water using R1234ze & R1233zd or 75°C using R290.
Water to water – waste heat is recycled and can be used as high-grade hot water, often referred to as heat reclaim. Ideal for industrial processes where waste heat would otherwise be dissipated to the environment. The heat pump recycles the heat as high-grade hot water.
The resulting hot water can then be used elsewhere within the process, or facility. For example, in the food sector, the reclaimed heat can be used at the pasteurisation stage, or for cleaning-in-place-systems (CIP). Alternatively, it could be used for heating a large space, such as an office or warehousing.
Our water to water units can achieve up to 120°C on R744 (CO2) or R600a (Isobutane).
Reverse cycle – designed for HVAC applications, these units can provide heat in the Winter and cooling in Summer. Units operate down to -15°C ambient.
Features & Benefits of our Industrial Heat Pumps
- Energy efficient design – with scroll, screw, or semi-hermetic compressor technology
- Air to water units work with external air temperature as low as -15°C
- Intelligently controlled defrost function – guarantees hot water temperatures for critical processes
- EC fans – maximises efficiencies
- Ultra-low GWP and natural refrigerants
- Eliminates – or dramatically reduces – the need for a boiler and reliance on gas
Sustainability, Efficiency & ROI
Aqua’s industrial heat pump range delivers on all fronts when it comes to reducing energy consumption and maximising efficiencies.
By providing a hot water supply, you negate the need for a boiler. For many customers this eliminates their reliance on gas or oil, reducing their carbon impact. For those using an electric boiler, whilst a heat pump will still use electricity, the amount of kW used is significantly reduced. With water to water units, you are recycling your waste heat at zero cost!
Refrigerants used within our heat pumps have zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and an ultra-low Global Warming Potential. The GWP of R1234ze is < 7, R290 + R600a is < 3, and R1233zd + CO2 is just 1.
Return on investment on heat pumps is fast, due to their energy efficient design and low operating costs.
Heat Pump Rental
We also have a range of heat pumps within our Hire fleet, available to rent on short, medium or longer term agreements.
Frequently
asked questions
An industrial heat pump operates on the same refrigeration cycle principle as a domestic unit but is designed for much larger loads and often higher output temperatures. Industrial heat pumps can deliver water temperatures up to 120 degrees C for process heating applications which is well beyond the capability of most domestic systems.
Yes. A heat pump moves heat rather than generating it so it can be used to heat one part of a process while simultaneously cooling another. This makes it highly efficient in applications such as food processing where both heating and cooling are needed at the same time.
Heat pumps are typically three to five times more energy efficient than gas boilers because they move heat rather than generating it by burning fuel. For every unit of electricity consumed a heat pump can deliver three to five units of heat. The precise coefficient of performance (COP) depends on the application and operating conditions.
In many cases yes. As the UK decarbonises the grid industrial heat pumps offer a credible path away from fossil fuel heating. Aqua can assess your current heating system and process requirements and advise on whether a heat pump is a viable replacement or supplement to your existing boiler plant.
Industrial heat pump installations may qualify for support under the UK Government’s Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) or other decarbonisation schemes. Eligibility depends on the specifics of your project. We recommend checking current government guidance for the latest information.
Ice Cream Producer Scoops Benefits of Heat Pump Technology
As an artisan producer, with their own dairy herd, sustainability and quality are at the heart of their business. The production process centred around a chiller, a heat exchanger and 200kW gas boiler. This equipment provided all the heating & cooling necessary for their production line.
We were asked to review this process for our client, to determine if any energy efficiencies could be gained and improvements made.