Six new projects aimed at improving industrial energy efficiency, productivity and competitiveness have resulted in awards totaling nearly $7.7 million for Gas Technology Institute, Des Plaines, Ill. The awards represent collaborative efforts of federal, state and private organizations, including natural gas distribution companies, to bring benefit to businesses and consumers alike.

The six projects are:
  • Transport Membrane Condenser for Water and Energy Recovery from Power Plant Flue Gas. GTI was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy's Fossil Energy Division for a program to develop a technology for fossil-fuel-fired power plants that will simultaneously save energy and reduce water requirements. In this program, GTI will apply a nanotechnology membrane that selectively removes water from power plant exhaust streams. Collaborative funding also has been received from the Illinois Clean Coal Institute. The field testing will be conducted in cooperation with Alliant Energy.

  • Research, Development and Field Testing of Thermochemical Recuperation for High Temperature Furnaces. American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) will lead a team - along with GTI, Thermal Transfer Corp., U.S. Steel, ArcelorMittal, Republic Engineered Products, Steel Manufacturing Association and Ohio Department of Development - to develop and test thermochemical recuperation for steel reheating furnaces to increase waste heat recovery that reduces energy consumption and costs. A thermochemical recuperator uses the partial-oxidation-of-fuel principle to recover energy from flue gasses of heating processes.

  • Advanced Engine Power Systems Using Renewable Gaseous Fuels. U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Technology Program notified GTI of an award for the development of advanced engine-based power systems that can operate using renewable and opportunity fuels such as those found at landfills, wastewater digester plants and coal mine production facilities. The program will address industry needs for improved gaseous fuel processing, more robust controls and integrated combined heat and power systems.

  • Advanced CHP System for High-Temperature Industrial Processes. GTI received notification of an award from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Technology Program for the development of advanced combined heat and power (CHP) systems that can be integrated into high-temperature industrial processes that also generate low BTU waste gas streams. Waste heat recovery systems such as these will help drive down energy intensity while also helping improve industrial competitiveness.

  • Low-Temperature Industrial Energy and Water Recovery. GTI was awarded funding from the California Energy Commission to develop and demonstrate the transport membrane condenser (TMC) technology for non-boilers where high humidity streams exist, such as food processing, chemical production, and paper drying. GTI is working with the Energy Solutions Center, Southern California Gas, and other stakeholders to identify target industrial processes and sites for this technology.

  • Heat Recovery from Corrosive High-Temperature Industrial Processes. The California Energy Commission awarded GTI funding to develop and demonstrate an integrated solution for recovering waste energy from high-temperature corrosive industrial exhaust streams. GTI will be working with Southern California Gas, Thorack Metals, and Eclipse Combustion to demonstrate this technology on an aluminum remelt furnace.
“GTI focuses on developing technologies that enhance the competitiveness of industrial manufacturers and help them reduce energy costs and carbon emissions,” said Dan LeFevers, executive director of GTI’s Washington Operations. “We appreciate the continuing financial support of the United States Department of Energy on projects to develop and deploy emerging energy technologies. We are also grateful for the support of Congressman Peter Roskam and his commitment to advancing the nation’s energy agenda and for the support of the California Energy Commission and our industrial partners.”

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