Heatcatcher system reaches delivery stage

Delivery phase begins

At the end of August 2013, East Sussex politician Norman Baker visited Newhaven Harbour, UK, as the first waste heat to power (WH2P) system, designed by Brighton-based company Heatcatcher Ltd, was prepared for its transportation north to the Thrislington lime plant near Durham.

Mr Baker, who is the Member of Parliament for Lewes, applauded the decision to manufacture the Heatcatcher system with CTEC Ltd in Newhaven, in what has become something of a success story for green business and industry on the south coast. CleanTech engineering specialists CTEC have recently re-established their operation in the Newhaven Harbour area as the result of a commitment by the Newhaven Port Authority to support high-value technical companies.

The project nears completion with a further boost anticipated for the region’s green economy, the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership having recently announced a successful bid for investment from the government’s Regional Growth Fund, to support innovation and environmental technologies. The same funding initiative in the northeast has helped to support the £1.3 million investment in the new WH2P system for the Thrislington plant, operated by the dolomitic lime producers Steetley Dolomite Ltd.

Waste heat to power

The Heatcatcher system helps to offset emissions by recovering waste heat from the process and converting it back into low-carbon electrical power that is fed back into the plant’s power supply, improving its overall electrical efficiency by a third.

The Heatcatcher System works by using the waste heat to vaporise a refrigerant, which in turn drives a turbine generator. The variable frequency and voltage output of the generator are converted to match the grid, and this electrical output is fed back into the plant’s power supply. Every stage of the process has been calibrated to minimise energy losses within the system. The system recovers 4 MWh of thermal power, and converts it to 0.5 MW of low-carbon electrical power.

“Heatcatcher is a great example of how innovation can be used to tackle climate change. The product that they produce allows other industries to reduce their carbon footprint by significantly improving their electrical efficiency. It is really positive to see that Newhaven was chosen as the company’s manufacturing base, utilising the experienced workforce that this town offers,” stated Norman Baker, Member of Parliament for Lewes.

“It’s very exciting to see the first Heatcatcher system built and off on its way to the northeast. Hopefully, this will be just one of a long line of triumphs for green business and industry in Sussex – it’s great for companies like ours to be based in a region that is gaining recognition for its growing contribution to the UK’s sustainability economy,” added Heatcatcher Ltd CEO Darren Bryant.

Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/09092013/heatcatcher_system_nears_completion_boosts_regional_growth_180/