The impact of heat pump load flexibility on its process integration and economics

The conventional methodology of heat pump integration has found application in various industries, including cheese production, spray drying, milk evaporation systems, brewing, and meat processing. While several approaches have been developed for optimizing direct and indirect heat recovery in non-continuous industrial processes, the optimal integration of heat pumps in non-continuous processes remains a challenge. This paper introduces a systematic methodology that leverages extensive datasets of time-resolved industrial process data to determine the optimal heat pump integration and the level of heat pump load flexibility that maximizes the economic benefit. Thus, the work establishes a connection between the domain of Process Integration and heat pump load flexibility. Additionally, the study provides insights on the requirements for load flexibility during the design phase of the heat pump, offering an estimation on the need for research on heat pump flexibility. The findings indicate the presence of a load flexibility threshold in the examined case study, beyond which additional load flexibility yields diminishing returns. Furthermore, the study shows that different heat pump integration parameters are chosen based on the heat pump’s capability for load flexibility. Within the investigated case, a heat pump with a minimum load of 55% increases the net present value by 19.3% compared to a load inflexible heat pump

Heat pump integration in non-continuous industrial processes by Dynamic Pinch Analysis Targeting

A key strategy for the transition towards a low-carbon economy is the electrification of industrial heat. Heat pumps can recover and upgrade excess or waste heat. They present a highly efficient component to decarbonize process heating. In Pinch Analysis, most approaches to design the heat recovery system as well as the utility system are based on a single operating point or a couple of operating point. In the past, this was due to the lack of temporally detailed process data. However, the available process data is expected to increase drastically by the use of transient process simulation models. Thus, a method is needed which interprets the data correctly and assists with design choices. This study proposes a methodology for the design and sizing of a heat pump based on the simulated annual process data of an industrial process. Three approaches are explored: (1) the conventional approach for heat pump integration by application of the Time Average Model (TAM), (2) an approach that investigates the optimal heat pump parameters for each data point by the principles of Pinch Analysis and mathematical optimization and (3) an optimization method, which considers the entire annual process data as well as thermo-economic objectives such as net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR). The new methodology compared to the conventional TAM approach is able to design a 33 % smaller heat pump, which reduces the annual operating cost by an additional 2.2 %. The NPV and IRR are more than tripled

Diagnostic utility and reporting recommendations for clinical DNA methylation episignature testing in genetically undiagnosed rare diseases

Purpose: This study aims to assess the diagnostic utility and provide reporting recommendations for clinical DNA methylation episignature testing based on the cohort of patients tested through the EpiSign Clinical Testing Network. Methods: The EpiSign assay utilized unsupervised clustering techniques and a support vector machine–based classification algorithm to compare each patient's genome-wide DNA methylation profile with the EpiSign Knowledge Database, yielding the result that was reported. An international working group, representing distinct EpiSign Clinical Testing Network health jurisdictions, collaborated to establish recommendations for interpretation and reporting of episignature testing. Results: Among 2399 cases analyzed, 1667 cases underwent a comprehensive screen of validated episignatures, imprinting, and promoter regions, resulting in 18.7% (312/1667) positive reports. The remaining 732 referrals underwent targeted episignature analysis for assessment of sequence or copy-number variants (CNVs) of uncertain significance or for assessment of clinical diagnoses without confirmed molecular findings, and 32.4% (237/732) were positive. Cases with detailed clinical information were highlighted to describe various utility scenarios for episignature testing. Conclusion: Clinical DNA methylation testing including episignatures, imprinting, and promoter analysis provided by an integrated network of clinical laboratories enables test standardization and demonstrates significant diagnostic yield and clinical utility beyond DNA sequence analysis in rare diseases.</p