The use of low-temperature secondary energy resources using heat transformers in non-ferrous metallurgy

The concepts of developing efficient and reliable schemes for the use of waste heat of low-potential energy resources in heat transformers (HT) are considered. Examples of using HT in several non-ferrous metallurgy plants in Russia and Kazakhstan are given: the production of nickel, zinc and ferroalloys. In the case of nickel production, two schemes are proposed for consideration: for summer and winter modes. The main object of study is a nickel production scheme using a lithium bromide absorption chiller (AbCh). Recycled water is the main source of utilized low-grade waste heat for AbCh. The cold obtained in AbCh is necessary for the technological process. The basic parameters were calculated under various extreme conditions, the energy effect of the modernization of the circuit was estimated, and equipment was selected. Studies have shown the feasibility of introducing AbCh into circuits with a large amount of waste heat. Low-grade heat utilization of nickel production using heat pump unit (HPU) in winter allows to obtain heat energy for heating water from the heating network and raw water for feeding the boiler house of a thermal power plant.

Another example of HT use is a heat pump unit (HPU) in the production of zinc and ferroalloys. HPU is designed to heat feed water before chemical water purification and at the same time “cool down” the circulating water, which is then used on a series of electrolysis, replacing purchased artesian water. In winter, the heat produced at HPU is used for heating, ventilation and hot water supply, which allows to dispense with the services of a third-party thermal power plant.

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