The Importance of Managing Waste Heat in Steam and Hot Water Systems

Managing Waste Heat in Steam and Hot Water Systems

Steam production and hot water systems are crucial in industrial and commercial heating and cooling systems.


Industrial heating and cooling systems are critical in many manufacturing and production processes. These systems control the temperature and maintain a specific environment in which products are produced, stored, or processed. However, these systems emit a significant amount of heat released into the atmosphere as waste heat.

Steam production is used in various industries to provide heat and power, including food and beverage processing, chemical manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals. Steam is generated by boiling water, typically using boilers that burn fuel such as natural gas, propane, or oil. The steam is then distributed throughout the facility using pipes, which can be used for heating, cleaning, or driving turbines to generate electricity.

The use of hot water systems is similar, but instead of steam, hot water provides heat. These systems are standard in hospitals, hotels, and other facilities that require a constant hot water supply. Boilers generate the hot water and circulate it through pipes, radiators, heat exchangers, or other heating elements.

Industrial heating and cooling systems generate significant amounts of wasted or unused heat. There are measures to mitigate the causes of waste heat in industrial heating and cooling systems and reduce its release. One solution is to recover the wasted heat and use it for other purposes, such as heating or cooling nearby buildings or other industrial processes. Another solution is to improve the heating and cooling system's efficiency, reducing the energy required to maintain the desired temperature through more efficient heating and cooling systems, insulation, and enhanced equipment design. Also, by connecting your heating and cooling systems, you recover wasted heat and put it back into your industrial process. 

Armstrong's Circular Thermal℠ significantly improves the thermal efficiency of your facilities. It reduces your need for primary energy by capturing and recirculating waste heat within your plant and toward your production. It significantly impacts your site's thermal decarbonization roadmap by reducing — and sometimes eliminating — the required purchase of renewable energy.

Learn more about Armstrong's Circular Thermal℠ here. To discuss more about Armstrong's approach to steam and hot water thermal efficiency in the Rocky Mountain states, contact Energy-West Controls. Call them at 800-533-4477 or visit https://energy-west.com.

Valve Automation

Valve Automation Services

Valve automation refers to the use of electromechanical or pneumatic devices to control the opening and closing of valves in an industrial process. The goal of valve automation is to optimize the control of fluid flow in a system, which can involve adjusting the flow rate, pressure, temperature, or other process variables.

Valve automation can be used in a variety of industries, including chemical processing, oil and gas, water treatment, and power generation. There are many different types of valves that can be automated, including ball valves, butterfly valves, and gate valves, among others. These valves can be controlled manually or automatically using a variety of methods, including electrical signals, pneumatic signals, or hydraulic signals.

In an automated system, the valves are typically controlled by a central control system, which may be a programmable logic controller (PLC) or a distributed control system (DCS). The control system receives input from sensors in the process and sends output signals to the valve actuators to adjust the valve positions as needed. The control system may also include human-machine interfaces (HMIs) or other types of operator interfaces that allow the process to be monitored and controlled by a human operator.

Valve automation can provide a number of benefits in an industrial process, including improved safety, efficiency, and accuracy. By automating the control of valves, it is possible to optimize the flow of fluids in a system to meet the desired process conditions, which can help to reduce waste, save energy, and improve product quality. Additionally, automated valve control can help to prevent human error and improve the overall reliability of the process.

For more information, contact:


Energy West, Inc.
1955 West Industrial Circle
Salt Lake City, Utah 84104
Phone: 801-262-4477
Fax: 801-261-0862
Web: https://energy-west.com