Atlas Copco offers Potato Industry Breakthrough Technology to Turn Waste Heat into Valuable Energy

Atlas Copco has introduced its latest innovation in sustainable industrial solutions: industrial heat pumps and steam compressors that transform low-temperature waste heat into high-temperature energy. This technology enables industries to significantly cut energy consumption, reduce carbon emissions, and move closer to electrification goals.

Converting Waste Heat into Usable Energy

Many industries produce waste heat that traditionally goes unused because it is not hot enough to be recovered. Atlas Copco’s advanced heat pumps and steam compressors capture this low-grade heat and upgrade it into usable steam of up to 200°C, creating an efficient and eco-friendly heating solution.

Decarbonizing Industrial Heating

Since the systems are powered by electricity, they replace a large share of fossil fuel-based heating, thereby reducing reliance on non-renewable sources. The technology offers a highly energy-efficient path to decarbonization, supporting industries in meeting strict environmental and sustainability targets.

Key Features of the Technology

Steam Compressors

• Operate with inlet steam temperatures as low as 86°C [0.6 bar(a)]
• Deliver outlet steam temperatures up to 200°C [10 bar(a)]
• Provide heating capacity up to 10 MW
• Achieve COP values up to 10 for superior efficiency
• Ensure production of superheated, dry, and clean steam
• Equipped with Variable Speed Drive (VSD) to manage load fluctuations

Heat Pumps

• Deliver hot water at temperatures up to 120°C
• Heating capacity up to 3.5 MW
• COP up to 6
• Sub-cooler design enhances efficiency
• Integrated global monitoring system ensures long lifespan and optimal service

Real-World Industrial Application

One example of the system’s success comes from the potato processing industry. Here, residual heat from steam used in steam peeling and frying is recovered through a heat exchanger. Since the steam contains a high amount of air and cannot be reused directly, it is converted into low-pressure steam at 86°C and 0.6 bar(a).

Atlas Copco’s two-stage ST6-2200-8VSD steam screw compressor then compresses the steam to 4.5 bar(a), with an outlet mass flow of 3.4 t/h. During this process, injected water is evaporated by the heat of compression, increasing total steam output. The result is superheated steam at 162.9°C with a superheat of 15°C, making it ideal for reuse in further production processes.

Process flow showing how Atlas Copco’s steam compressor upgrades low-pressure waste steam from potato processing into high-temperature steam for reuse, boosting energy efficiency and sustainability.

A Step Toward Industrial Sustainability

Industries can significantly improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions by recovering waste heat and electrifying heating processes. Steam compressors and heat pumps play a key role in enabling cleaner and more sustainable production, representing an important step toward industrial sustainability.

Atlas Copco presented their solutions to the potato industry at the PotatoEurope earlier this month in Lelystad.