In the first quarter of 2020, BASF Catalysts Germany GmbH installed two waste heat modules from energy service provider Orcan Energy at its Nienburg site. This plant modernization will enable the automotive supplier to produce additional electricity and improve its eco-balance through sustainable energy production.
The efficiency PACKs by Orcan Energy convert the previously unused waste heat on-site into up to 300,000 kWh of electricity per year, increasing the energy efficiency of the production facility and at the same time reducing the CO2 emissions of the production line.
exhaust gas catalysts
Gas furnaces are used in the manufacturing of catalysts, which require exhaust gas after treatment
At its catalyst plant in Nienburg, Germany, BASF primarily manufactures exhaust gas catalysts for gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles of all classes. Products include catalytic soot particle filters such as the four-way catalyst (FWC™).
Gas furnaces are used in the manufacturing of catalysts, which require exhaust gas after treatment. This process happens at higher temperatures and afterward, the exhaust air can be used efficiently and sustainably by the Orcan system.
exhaust gas heat exchanger
For this purpose, the company has installed an exhaust gas heat exchanger to extract the heat, whereby the thermal energy in the exhaust gas is transferred to a water circuit.
The heat can be utilized. The electricity generated is used directly at the BASF site.
energy efficiency and sustainability
"We want to continuously improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of our production sites. The installation of a waste heat solution was therefore a logical step for us. With Orcan Energy we have chosen an established supplier with many years of experience," said Stephan Rehbehn, Energy Management Representative of BASF Catalysts Germany GmbH.
Rethink wasted heat
Dr. Andreas Sichert, CEO of Orcan Energy, says, "We are delighted to have gained a new customer in BASF Catalysts. More and more industrial giants today are using their waste heat efficiently and are relying on solutions from Orcan Energy. We are noticing that the industrial sector is rethinking its use of waste heat."
