Since its commissioning in 1995, energy company Ryaverket in Sweden has been achieving impressive results in energy efficiency and cost savings. The key to this success? The reliable operation of the Läckeby air-water heat exchangers.
35% energy recovery from hot air
The system makes it possible to recover as much as 35% of the energy needed to drive the blowers. This heat is efficiently extracted from the hot air – which would normally be lost – and reused in the hot water circuit. The recovered hot water is then used to power the boilers, significantly reducing overall energy consumption.
According to calculations, this energy recovery led to savings of as much as €640,000 over a period of just 10 years. These figures not only illustrate the economic added value of the system, but also underline the importance of renewable energy solutions in industrial applications.
Extended life of critical components
However, the benefits are not limited to heat recovery. The Läckeby heat exchangers also play an important role in extending the life of the EPDM membranes in the biological basins of the wastewater treatment plant. By significantly reducing the air temperature after the blowers, the temperature remains well below the critical threshold of 70°C. For every 10°C increase above this threshold, the service life of EPDM rubber halves. Thanks to the temperature drop through the heat exchangers, the membrane replacement cycle was extended from the usual 7-8 years to as much as 12-14 years, and possibly even longer.
Technical performance: Läckeby HAW 500-36
Energy recovery is achieved by a Läckeby HAW 500-36 air-water heat exchanger, which handles an air flow rate of 13,900 Nm³/h. This robust heat exchanger is designed for high thermal efficiency and maximum reliability.
An example of sustainable energy practice
This case study shows that investing in thoughtful energy recovery systems not only leads to financial benefits, but also contributes to the sustainability and longevity of installations. The combination of energy savings, heat reuse and lower maintenance costs make Läckeby heat exchangers an excellent choice for any industrial environment where hot air is generated.
