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Retrofitting strategies for improving the energy and environmental efficiency in industrial furnaces: A case study in the aluminium sector

Author

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  • Royo, Patricia
  • Ferreira, Víctor José
  • López-Sabirón, Ana M.
  • García-Armingol, Tatiana
  • Ferreira, Germán

Abstract

This study aims to analyse some of the most relevant issues that the energy intensive industry needs to face in order to improve its energy and environmental performance based on innovative retrofitting strategies. To this end, a case study based on the aluminium industry, as one of the most relevant within the European energy intensive industry has been thoroughly discussed. In particular, great efforts must be addressed to reduce its environmental impact; specifically focusing on the main stages concerning the manufacturing of an aluminium billet, namely alloy production, heating, extrusion and finishing. Hence, an innovative DC (direct current) induction technology with an expected 50% energy efficiency increase is used for retrofitting conventional techniques traditionally based on natural gas and AC (alternating current) induction. A life cycle assessment was applied to analyse three different scenarios within four representative European electricity mixes. The results reported reductions up to 8% of Green House Gases emissions in every country. France presented the best-case scenario applying only DC induction; unlike Greece, which showed around 150% increment. However, the suitability of the new DC induction technology depends on the electricity mix, the technological scenario and the environmental impact indicators. Finally, environmental external costs were assessed with comparison purposes to evaluate the increase of energy and environmental efficiency in existing preheating and melting industrial furnaces currently fed with natural gas.

Suggested Citation

  • Royo, Patricia & Ferreira, Víctor José & López-Sabirón, Ana M. & García-Armingol, Tatiana & Ferreira, Germán, 2018. "Retrofitting strategies for improving the energy and environmental efficiency in industrial furnaces: A case study in the aluminium sector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P2), pages 1813-1822.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:82:y:2018:i:p2:p:1813-1822
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2017.06.113
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Qingwei Shi & Hong Ren & Weiguang Cai & Jingxin Gao, 2020. "How to Set the Proper CO 2 Reduction Targets for the Provincial Building Sector of China?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-22, December.
    2. Vaninsky, Alexander, 2018. "Energy-environmental efficiency and optimal restructuring of the global economy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 338-348.
    3. Miroslav Variny & Dominika Jediná & Patrik Furda, 2021. "Comment on Hamayun et al. Evaluation of Two-Column Air Separation Processes Based on Exergy Analysis. Energies 2020, 13 , 6361," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-8, October.
    4. Maryori C. Díaz-Ramírez & Víctor J. Ferreira & Tatiana García-Armingol & Ana María López-Sabirón & Germán Ferreira, 2020. "Environmental Assessment of Electrochemical Energy Storage Device Manufacturing to Identify Drivers for Attaining Goals of Sustainable Materials 4.0," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-20, January.
    5. Royo, Patricia & Acevedo, Luis & Ferreira, Victor J. & García-Armingol, Tatiana & López-Sabirón, Ana M. & Ferreira, Germán, 2019. "High-temperature PCM-based thermal energy storage for industrial furnaces installed in energy-intensive industries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 1030-1040.
    6. Patricia Royo & Luis Acevedo & Álvaro J. Arnal & Maryori Diaz-Ramírez & Tatiana García-Armingol & Victor J. Ferreira & Germán Ferreira & Ana M. López-Sabirón, 2021. "Decision Support System of Innovative High-Temperature Latent Heat Storage for Waste Heat Recovery in the Energy-Intensive Industry," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-13, January.
    7. Ning Ding & Ning Liu & Bin Lu & Jianxin Yang, 2021. "Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of aluminum based on regional industrial transfer in China," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(6), pages 1657-1672, December.
    8. Malinauskaite, Jurgita & Jouhara, Hussam & Egilegor, Bakartxo & Al-Mansour, Fouad & Ahmad, Lujean & Pusnik, Matevz, 2020. "Energy efficiency in the industrial sector in the EU, Slovenia, and Spain," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    9. Francesco Calise & Maria Vicidomini & Mário Costa & Qiuwang Wang & Poul Alberg Østergaard & Neven Duić, 2019. "Toward an Efficient and Sustainable Use of Energy in Industries and Cities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-28, August.
    10. Golmohamadi, Hessam, 2022. "Demand-side management in industrial sector: A review of heavy industries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    11. Francesco Calise & Mário Costa & Qiuwang Wang & Xiliang Zhang & Neven Duić, 2018. "Recent Advances in the Analysis of Sustainable Energy Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-30, September.

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