Kaishan takes the heat off energy wastage

With global requirements for renewable energy sources becoming increasingly significant, it is imperative that Australian industry keeps pace with development in energy-saving technologies.

China-based Kaishan Group manufactures a huge number of air compressors which add almost 1500 MW of electricity demand onto the global energy grid per annum — that’s the equivalent of adding a large power station to the world’s energy demand each year.

The group is currently making exciting advances available to Australian industry through its fully owned subsidiary, Southern Cross Compressors. Southern Cross Compressors now offers a range of custom designed and built screw expander power plants, improving isentropic efficiency by up to almost 90%.

The broad range of power regeneration options — which include gas, steam and organic Rankine cycle (ORC) — converts otherwise wasted energy into usable electricity, channelled directly back into production or returned to the grid for a significant energy cost reduction to the source company. Using an organic actuating medium to absorb low-grade heat (over 80°C) to drive the rotary screw process, the ORC screw expander technology doesn’t need any additional fuel source to generate clean, non-polluting electrical energy from otherwise wasted heat.

The expander system is suitable for geothermal, diesel engine heat discharge, gas pipelines, furnace and waste steam applications. Installing an expander will typically see a return on investment in 12 to 18 months, subject to current energy costs and conditions.

Kaishan Group has already successfully installed a number of operating systems in companies around the world, including the USA, Indonesia, China and Canada. For example, Chena Hot Springs Resort in Fairbanks, Alaska, developed a business partnership with Kaishan to make the rotary screw expander its complete source of power. To realise this vision, Kaishan created a 300 kW generator utilising rotary screw expansion and synchronous generation technology to turn excess geometric (hot water) heat into the primary power source.

With a strong presence in over 60 countries and regions, manufacturing plants located in multiple countries and products that meet many applications, Kaishan Group can deliver its energy-saving products all over the world, thereby helping businesses lower costs and improve productivity.

Image: The Kaishan expander converts waste heat into renewable energy.