Heat recovery from mine water

A heat pump is often used to utilize the thermal energy of the mine water. By using heat pumps, the temperature of the mine water can be raised to a level that can be used for district heating (including residential neighborhoods or entire urban areas) and industrial processes. This sustainable method reduces CO₂ emissions, lowers energy costs and makes an important contribution to the energy transition, as fossil fuels are supplemented or even replaced as a heating source. Mine water is available particularly in former mining areas (e.g. in the Ruhr area or Saarland), which makes it an attractive solution for regions with the appropriate infrastructure. One example is the commissioning of an innovative cogeneration heat pump on the site of the former Camphausen colliery in southern Saarland. Here, the heat from the mine water is used to supply district heating to two towns.

Are you seeking to maximize the use of the thermal energy in mine water?

Numerous framework conditions such as temperature and volume flow, heat exchanger technology, integration into existing infrastructures, economic and ecological aspects and water quality must be taken into account. For example, the substances contained in the water of your heat source can lead to undesirable effects in evaporators/heat exchangers depending on many parameters:

The implementation of effective and efficient heat extraction from mine water therefore requires detailed and specialist knowledge. If different parameters are precisely coordinated and configured in the optimum relationship to each other, risks can be minimized and bespoke solutions developed. Inadequate planning or the wrong choice of technology can result not only in high costs, but can also impair the efficiency of the entire system and increase the environmental impact.

Our solution for efficient heat extraction from mine water

The TAPROGGE applications of filtration and tube cleaning systems for heat exchangers and evaporators provide process engineering solutions that lead to energy savings and ensure efficient operation in the long term. Our mature modular systems, combined with the application experience of 12,000 systems commissioned worldwide (including more than 100 systems in the industrial heat pump sector) also provide the perfect solution for optimum operation of your heat pump.

• Backwash Filters of different series as necessary (pre-) filtration protect downstream objects such as evaporators of heat pumps and heat exchangers from macrofouling and blockage.
• Strainer sections with fixed or backwashable strainers as part of the evaporator cleaning system using the TAPROGGE process ensure reliable and permanent prevention of microfouling in the evaporator/heat exchanger tubes. The heat transfer coefficient remains comparable to that of a new system when the tubes are smooth on the inside.

Application-specific consulting

To exploit the full potential of heat recovery from mine water, it helps to have the specialist knowledge of experts who not only know the appropriate technologies and materials, but also develop bespoke solutions for your specific requirements. We are here to help and support you. With our knowledge of the specific risks such as micro- and macrofouling, the choice of materials, the design of heat exchangers and suitable cleaning strategies combined with our extensive experience in the analysis and optimization of heat transfer systems, tailored approaches can be developed for you. These include, among other things:

• Continuous cleaning of the heat exchanger tubes without interrupting operation
• Protection of the environment through chemical-free processes
• Use in straight-tube and, where applicable, U-tube heat exchangers
• Use of materials that are adapted to the process conditions (e.g. corrosion-resistant)