A heat generation circuit refers to a modular technical system for generating and supplying thermal energy in industrial applications. High-temperature heat pumps can consist of multiple parallel heat generation circuits, in this case, parallel refrigerant circuits, to efficiently provide process heat in large quantities. Additionally, this modular approach allows for flexible adaptation to varying process requirements.

Operating principle and components

A heat generation circuit is based on one or more refrigerant circuits operating according to thermodynamic cycle principles. By arranging multiple refrigerant circuits in parallel, the efficiency and performance of a heat pump can be enhanced. The main components include:

• Evaporator: Absorbs heat from an external source, such as industrial waste heat or environmental heat.
• Compressor: Compresses the refrigerant to increase its temperature and pressure.
• Condenser: Transfers the generated heat to the process medium (e.g., steam, water, or thermal oil).
• Expansion valve: Reduces the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant to restart the cycle.

Modularity and efficiency

Modern high-performance heat generation circuits are often designed modularly, allowing multiple refrigerant circuits to operate in parallel. This offers several advantages:

• Increased performance: Parallel operation of multiple circuits enables scalable overall performance.
• Redundancy and reliability: The failure of one circuit does not affect the entire system.
• Efficiency optimization: Demand-driven activation of individual circuits ensures optimal operation under varying load conditions.

Technological advancements

With the growing importance of energy-efficient industrial processes, the use of high-temperature heat pumps with flexible heat generation circuits is becoming increasingly relevant. Advances in compressor technology, refrigerant development, and heat recovery enable more efficient utilization of industrial waste heat and contribute to a sustainable reduction in CO₂ emissions.