9.3. Industrial Process Applications and Requirements

The use of solar heating technologies can be linked to a variety of industrial applications and can replace significant amounts of fossil fuels burned in the process. The potential is high since about 30% of industrial heating demand is withing the range of solar thermal systems. Typically solar heat is supplied via heated water, steam, or air.  

Industrial heating needs can be categorized into three main temperature ranges:

(1) < 80^oC -  low temperature - flat plate solar collectors are capable of meeting these temperatures;

(2) 80 - 250 ^oC - medium temperatures  - concentrating collectors are needed;

(3) >250 ^oC - high temperatures - this range requires imaging concentrated systems to achieve such high temperatures.

 All of these categories can be matched with solar systems.

For learning about some specific applications and system designs, you are now re-directed to the following textbook chapters: