The term temperature lift refers to the difference between the temperature of the heat source and the target temperature of the heat sink, achieved by a heat pump. In industrial high-temperature heat pumps, which are used for generating process heat, the temperature lift is a crucial factor influencing efficiency and energy consumption.

Impact of temperature lift on efficiency

The greater the temperature lift, the more energy—typically in the form of electricity—the heat pump requires to reach the desired temperature. A high temperature lift can therefore reduce system efficiency and increase operating costs. In industrial applications, it is essential to minimize the temperature lift or optimize it through technical measures.

Two-stage temperature lift in high-temperature heat pumps

To efficiently bridge large temperature differences above 60–70 K, industrial high-temperature heat pumps can be designed as two-stage systems, where two refrigerant circuits and two compressors are connected in sequence. This concept allows low-temperature waste heat, for example at 30–40°C, to be upgraded to high process temperatures required in industries such as food processing, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. By distributing the compression process over two stages, the temperature lift is managed more effectively, increasing efficiency and enabling higher output temperatures.

Significance for industrial process heat generation

In many industrial applications, the provision of high-temperature process heat is essential. An optimized temperature lift maximizes energy efficiency. By implementing modern high-temperature heat pumps with a two-stage temperature lift, companies can better utilize waste heat, reduce operating costs, and contribute to industrial decarbonization.

Learn more about this topic in our blog article: Overcoming limits: Two-stage temperature lift in high-temperature heat pumps