Lucerne University of Applied Sciences andArts (HSLU) has developed the PinCH software, which can be used to make industrial processes more energy-efficient and economical. According to a press release from the university, the latest version of PinCH 4.0 can also integrate open-loop heat storage systems. A pinch analysis can be used to systematically show how thermal energy flows need to be coupled in order to achieve high energy efficiency with minimal overall costs (consisting of investment and operating costs).
PinCH 4.0 has already been used to analyze the production processes of the food manufacturer HACO in Gümligen BE. The analysis showed that the use of hot water steam required for process preparation can be reduced by half with an open-loop heat storage system.
“If process streams, such as the brewing water in a brewery or the process water at HACO AG, are used directly as a storage medium, heat exchangers and intermediate circuits can be saved”, explains Donald Olsen, Project Manager PinCH Software Development at HSLU, in the press release. “Such an open-loop storage system increases the energy-saving potential, simplifies the system and thus reduces energy and investment costs.”