ABSTRACT
In Europe alone, 1,142 PJ of low-temperature heat (below 100°C) and 829 PJ of mediumtemperature heat (at levels of 100°C-400°C) are required yearly for the CPI (Pardo et al., 2012). As much as 20%–50% of the energy used is ultimately lost via waste heat contained in streams of hot exhaust gases and liquids. Large amounts of heat contained in spent cooling water (at levels of 45°C-60°C) are rejected to the environment in industrial plants (e.g. to air in cooling towers or as waste water discharged in sea). Presently, the share of waste heat recovery contribution to the total energy usage is still negligible, in spite of the large impact potential.
