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Tag: AIT Austrian Institute of Technology

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Steamdry at the 15th IEA Heat Pump Conference

Steamdry was pleased to participate in the 15th IEA Heat Pump Conference, where our partner AIT Austrian Institute of Technology presented a joint work on advanced heat recovery and drying technologies.

The presentation, titled “Heat recovery with steam compressor: Dynamic model of a superheated steam drying system to evaluate efficient system operation,” was delivered by Michael Pölzl (AIT) on Friday, May 29 in the Festsaal. It was part of the session “HTH11 + AIP2 Techno-Economic & Environmental Assessment of High Temperature Heat Pumps and Adaptation of Industrial Processes.”

This contribution, developed by AIT in collaboration with Piller Blowers & Compressors and Wageningen University & Research, focuses on superheated steam drying (SSD) as an innovative alternative to conventional drying processes in the pulp and paper industry.

SSD offers strong potential for improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions, and enhancing product quality. A key element of the system is the use of a steam compressor, which recovers latent heat from excess steam and upgrades it to the required temperature and pressure levels for reuse within the drying process.

To better understand and optimize this complex system, a dynamic model has been developed to simulate the transient behavior of the dryer, steam compressor, and auxiliary components such as heat exchangers and electrical heating. This model makes it possible to evaluate how different operating conditions—such as temperature levels and the presence of air in the steam cycle—affect overall system performance and efficiency.

The results demonstrate how such modeling tools can support the design and operation of superheated steam drying systems, enabling more efficient and reliable integration into industrial processes.

Through its partners, SteamDry is proud to contribute to the development of next-generation drying technologies and to support the transition toward more energy-efficient industrial solutions.

The presentation provided an opportunity to share the project’s latest developments with researchers, industry representatives, and other stakeholders working to advance sustainable and energy-efficient industrial processes.

About the event

The IEA Heat Pump Conference is one of the leading international events on heat pump technologies, bringing together industry, research, and policy to advance energy efficiency and decarbonization in heating and industrial processes.

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AIT to Present SteamDry Project at NEFI Conference on Decarbonization in the Paper Industry

NEFI Conference 2024

NEFI Conference 2024

The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology will showcase the SteamDry project  at the NEFI Conference, scheduled for October 24-25, 2024, in Vienna, Austria. The presentation will be a part of the NEFI Technology Talk: Decarbonisation of the Paper Industry – Perspectives, Opportunities, and Innovative Solutions, on October 25, 11:30 – 13:00.

AIT’s talk, titled “SteamDry: Innovative Solution for Decarbonizing the Drying Process in the Paper Industry,” will focus on reducing carbon emissions in one of the paper industry’s most energy-intensive stages – the drying process. The NEFI Technology Talk will cover various decarbonization challenges and solutions from industry level to site level and down to the process and component level for decarbonizing the paper sector, which consumes over 348,808 GWh annually in Europe.

Key speakers at this session include:

  • Veronika Wilk (AIT), providing the welcome and introduction.
  • David Kainrath (Austropapier), presenting on Austria’s decarbonization framework for the pulp and paper sector.
  • Sophie Knöttner (AIT), showcasing a decision support tool for decarbonizing energy supply at paper production sites.
  • Gert Pfleger (Norske Skog), presenting on  the Waste-to-Energy Boiler project’s success.
  • Sabrina Dusek (AIT), introducing SteamDry as an innovative solution for decarbonizing the drying process.

About NEFI Conference 2024

NEFI Conference 2024 (NEFI Conference 2024 – NEFI): The 3rd international scientific NEFI Conference2024 takes place in Vienna, Austria, on 24-25 October. It’s a must-attend event for industry, researchers, and government agencies driving the transition to a greener net zero future.

The focus is on Industrial Decarbonisation, cooperation, and transformation, supporting industries on their path toward a sustainable future. Don’t miss the opportunity for networking and collaboration with great experts. Register now!

NEFI+ is the new innovation laboratory of the Climate and Energy Fund’s RTI initiative for the transformation of industry. Important practical research and demonstration projects for a climate neutral industry are being developed in six hubs. The innovation network NEFI – New Energy for Industry (AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Montanuniversität Leoben, OÖ Energiesparverband and Business Upper Austria) supports the development of the innovation hubs with its infrastructure, expertise and existing networks. Significant funding comes from the two strong industrial federal states of Upper Austria and Styria. The Climate and Energy Fund’s RTI initiative for the transformation of industry is part of the Climate Protection Ministry’s overarching climate and transformation campaign “Transformation of Industry”.

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AIT to Showcase SteamDry Project at Chillventa 2024

Our project partner, the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, participated in the Chillventa 2024 Exhibition from October 8 to 10, 2024 at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg. Chillventa is the world’s leading exhibition focused on refrigeration, air conditioning (AC), ventilation, and heat pump technologies, providing a global platform to explore the latest industry trends and innovations.

At this year’s event, AIT, Austria’s largest Research and Technology Organization (RTO), presented its work in sustainable thermal energy systems. Specializing in heat integration and energy efficiency, AIT leads the design and validation of the Superheated Steam Drying (SSD) process, a key focus of the SteamDry project.

Attendees could visit the AIT booth at Hall 4A, Stand 4A-305, where SteamDry were prominently featured. Through engaging slide presentations, visitors will discover how the Superheated Steam Drying (SSD) technology can transform energy-intensive drying processes by significantly reducing energy consumption and minimizing environmental impact.

For the SteamDry project, AIT plays a critical role, coordinating the design of the SSD drying process with heat integration (WP4), validating the SSD concept (WP5), and contributing to the development of digitalization tools (WP8) for enhanced performance.

The slides used during the conference are available for consultation here.

 

About Chillventa 2024

Chillventa is the premier global exhibition for professionals in the fields of refrigeration, AC, ventilation, and heat pump technologies. With more than 843 exhibitors from 43 countries and over 30,000 visitors expected, the event is an unmatched platform for discovering innovative products, learning about the latest trends, and networking with industry experts.

Key topics at Chillventa 2024 include energy efficiency, greenhouse gas reduction, and sustainability, all of which align with AIT’s focus on creating sustainable thermal energy solutions.