Advancing to net zero steam
Steam has played a vital role in our past , and present , and will remain essential to our future progress too . Its superior thermal energy qualities make it a fundamental element in producing so much of what we take for granted , every day . And , thanks to rapidly evolving technology and engineering breakthroughs , we can look forward to enjoying its many benefits in a net zero world tomorrow .
All text and images courtesy of Spirax Sarco
There was no need to invent it ; it ' s been on Earth for longer than we have . You can still see it in its most natural state , bursting from geysers , creating breathtaking displays . Their sheer power and force give a hint as to why steam is the most widely used heat-carrying medium in the world . And they highlight its elemental nature . Its ability to hold a significant amount of energy that can be used either mechanically , to turn a turbine for example , or as heat to enable many processes , makes steam a key sustainable , renewable resource . Thanks to the steam and condensate loop , the water it uses can be recycled by efficient systems , saving energy as it does so .
Natural technology With high efficiency , low toxicity , ease of movement , superior heat capacity , and low cost compared to other alternatives , a world without steam is unthinkable . We have steam to thank for many of the tremendous technological advances in society over the past 300 years . Whilst the mechanisms that use , and need steam may have changed , steam itself has remained fundamental to our evolution . It plays a key role in the pharmaceutical industry , ensuring medicines and vaccines can be produced safely , reliably , and in large quantities . Healthcare facilities rely upon steam to keep instruments risk-free when treating us . Both the chemical and petroleum industries need steam to keep their plants running smoothly , and in creating the many products we rely upon for everyday living . From plastics to polyester ( the world ' s most common clothing material ), to ammonia production , which provides fertilisers to feed the world . And its many uses in the food and beverage industry mean we do not need to think twice about the safety and lifespan of so many things we eat and drink to live . These are just some of the benefits steam gives us . It ’ s the reason we see steam not just as a useful phenomenon , but as natural technology . A safe , sustainable , reliable means of improving our quality of life , almost without comparison . But , beyond a photo opportunity , geysers do not have much practical use for us , and , except for a few places on earth , steam as geothermal energy is not an option . That means to harness its value , steam has to be generated by us . And that is where the test for guaranteeing its sustainable future lies . We need steam in vast quantities to maintain our growth and quality of life . It is vital we move away from generating steam using gas , coal , or oil to renewable , efficient sources of energy , as swiftly as possible .
Embracing new possibilities The global energy crisis is accelerating major shifts in how we generate our power . First , there is a rapidly growing share coming from renewable sources ( mainly wind or solar , but with variable output ). Second , the potential for green hydrogen based on renewable power and electrolysis is growing day by day . Third , there is a growing acceptance of the need for the electrification of heat in industry and buildings . And finally , new technologies for both heat and power storage are emerging , and soon will be available at scale . Such paradigm shifts in how industry operates will not happen overnight . But time is of the essence if we are to meet those exacting net zero targets . That is why practical options to bridge the gap between electricity supply and demand is so critical to achieving sustainable operations . Innovations like thermal energy storage , where capturing peak renewable supply , converting it to useful steam , and then holding it until it ' s
16 Heat Exchanger World September 2023 www . heat-exchanger-world . com