Combining the Companies’ Strengths to Provide Decarbonization Solutions
CROSS BORDER
Combining the Companies’ Strengths to Provide Decarbonization Solutions
Turboden
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Compressor, Corporation (MCO)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries EMEA, LTD. (MHI-EMEA)
Contributing to the energy transition of the pulp and paper industry and other industries using large heat pump technology
During these recent years of soaring electric and gas energy prices, heat pumps, which collect heat given off by factories, etc. at a low temperature and effectively repurpose it at a higher temperature, have been gaining attention as an eco-friendly technology that will decrease CO2 emission amounts.
This is why Turboden decided to enhance our large heat pump. We incorporated a proven compressor of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Compressor Corporation (MCO) and effectively used both of our companies’ strengths to develop a heat provision system. We also received an order from a major European paper manufacturer for a large-scale project in northern Europe and were able to gain a foothold in the market of large industrial-use heat pumps.
According to a recent forecast supported by market studies, the scale of the large heat pump market is predicted to grow to 1.5–3.5 billion euros by 2030. The success of this project will diversify our product portfolio and lead to business opportunities as well as contribute to the decarbonization of the industrial steam demand.
The two innovations that helped us to realize our customer’s demands
- 1) A system that achieves both durability and operating efficiency
- For this project, it was required to accommodate a temperature lift(Note1) of 140–165℃ to produce steam at 170℃ from the 5–30℃ cooling water discharged by the paper production process. This temperature lift far surpasses that of Turboden’s developing large heat pump (100℃ max). To achieve this, we applied a new method of connecting the large heat pump and the mechanical vapor re-compressor in series. As a result, we were able to achieve both the heat pump’s operating efficiency and durability against the temperature lift.
- 2) Using our organic fluid knowledge cultivated from our ORC experience to provide steam
- Heat pumps are traditionally used to supply hot water and not steam. That said, another customer demand for this project was the supply of steam at 170°C. In response, Turboden made use of our specialty knowledge of organic fluid that we cultivated from our ORC(Note2) experience to select the proper working fluid (hydrocarbon) and achieve the production of steam.
- 1The difference in temperature between the heat pump source and the steam supplied in the process
- 2Organize Rankine Cycle
From the project members
Turboden
Paving the road to entering a new market
Sales Representative
Emanuele Pingaro
We have worked together with the sales team to study the best solution to meet our customer’s needs and expectations. We are glad that our customer chose us to partner with them for this novel decarbonization project. Thanks to being involved in this project, we were able to use this cutting edge decarbonization technology in various industries, such as the paper, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage industries, and more, to open the road into the large heat pump market. Our company’s technology not available in the market and reaching our goals won’t be easy, but we are putting all we have into achieving success.
From the project members
Turboden
Combined technologies answer our customer’s wishes
Project Manager
David Danesi
This is our company’s first attempt to develop a large industrial heat pump with a compressor of MCO coupled with a mechanical vapor compressor, but I am confident that this will open the doors to several other opportunities in the field of industrial heat demand electrification. This project was a good example of MHI Group’s synergy, and we were able to prove our ability to supply unique solutions for our customers by combining ours and MCO’s technology. It was a privilege to be involved in a project like this, and I felt that by working with three of my MCO coworkers I had gained a valuable opportunity.
From the overseas sales representative
Mitsubishi_Heavy_Industries_EMEA, Ltd.
Entry into a new market brings new knowledge
Masaaki Endo
This project was important to help MCO enter the industrial heat pump market in Europe. We discussed ideas on how to lower costs, reducing delivery time due to scope changes, and not to mention technology that would win us the project in spite strict price, delivery, and technical requirements of the customer. The concept of LTSA(Note) is especially unfamiliar when it comes to compressors with few consumable parts, so we made sure Turboden had a good understanding of the concept of compressor equipment maintenance as an after-sale service before making a proposal to the customer. As a result of working together and keeping in mind MHI Group’s synergy, we were able to meet the customer’s needs and win the project. Furthermore, we learned a lot about the concept of LTSA and what we should pay attention to in our advancement into the industrial heat pump market going forward. We have future business negotiation plans for large heat pumps, so we will finish this project completely to establish links for future projects.
- Long-term Service Agreement
From the sales representative
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Compressor Corporation
Using knowledge and technology to lead the project to success
Market Group, Business Development Division
Takuya Kinoshita
This project was important as MCO & Turboden’s bridgehead into the large heat pump market, so we proposed the use of MCO’s reliable compressor based on our rich experience. This was our first inter-industry collaboration, but we built a good relationship and the discussions throughout this project inspired both of us. Both companies brought their knowledge, experience, and technology to assist in working out specifics. When we faced any difficulties, we held online meetings in which we spoke openly, searched for solutions to the problem, and had discussions on how we would realize our competitive offer. Looking from the perspective of effective energy use, it is expected the heat pump market will grow further, so we will work closely with Turboden to contribute to the energy transition.