Hepworth Brewery, based in the United Kingdom (UK), is participating in a pilot program to decarbonize beer production by using a groundbreaking new heat pump system that incorporates Honeywell’s low-GWP refrigerant, Solstice® 1233zd. By incorporating this refrigerant into Futraheat industrial heat pumps, Hepworth Brewery expects to significantly reduce its Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions, energy consumption, and operating expenses.
In the brewing process, heat is an essential component that is often delivered via high-temperature steam pipes that emit waste vapor. With the integration of Futraheat’s Greensteam heat pump, Hepworth Brewery is able to recycle the waste vapor. Instead of releasing this vapor into the atmosphere, the heat pump boosts it to provide steam at 130°C (266°F), which is then reused in the brewery.
The pilot project will enable Hepworth Brewery to reduce its energy use by up to 90% in the wort boiling process, where sugary liquid is boiled to extract flavors and sanitize, resulting in operational savings and emissions reductions compared to fossil fuel boilers. In the future, the project could be scaled up site-wide to offset almost all the fossil fuel-generated heat used at the brewery.
“Sustainability has driven the way we do business from day one, and the heat pump, if successful during this pilot program, will be an important next step on our journey to carbon neutrality,” said Andy Hepworth, chairman of Hepworth Brewery. “With heat such a vital part of the brewing process, finding a solution that delivers the heat we need, while also cutting our emissions and costs, promises to be transformational. Futraheat and Honeywell are pioneers in sustainable technology, and we are delighted to be partnering with them to realize our shared ambitions for a cleaner, lower carbon future.”
Across its business, Hepworth Brewery already has several other sustainability initiatives in progress such as installing solar panels; using reed beds to clean its low-grade effluent; and taking heat from beer chillers to heat the brewery offices, shop, and tap room; and installing rain recovery equipment.
The current pilot project with Honeywell and Futraheat has been delivered in collaboration with Hepworth Brewery and the UK Government Department for Energy Strategy and Net Zero’s Industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator program, managed by the Carbon Trust. The program enabled Futraheat to develop its steam-generating heat pump technology. Since then, Futraheat’s patented compressor has been integrated into the heat pump unit at Hepworth and commissioning has now begun.
"As we move toward broader adoption of low-GWP refrigerants, Honeywell is developing eco-friendly alternatives that reduce carbon footprints and improve energy efficiency, safety, and performance," said Julien Soulet, vice president and general manager of Honeywell sustainability and decarbonization in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). "Our Solstice technology is non-toxic, non-flammable, and supports companies in reaching their carbon reduction and energy consumption goals. At the same time, it also meets the environmental needs of various industries like food and beverage, which enable businesses like Hepworth Brewery to take advantage of this innovative technology."
"Futraheat’s technology, featuring our patented TurboClaw compressor, recycles low-grade waste heat and boosts it by up to 60°C (140°F) today -- but in future models, it will be able to provide useful process heat up to 150°C (302°F)," said Tom Taylor, CEO of Futraheat. "Our high-temperature Greensteam heat pump, combined with Honeywell Solstice technology, optimizes performance, which is especially beneficial for the brewing process and many other industrial processes, including pharmaceuticals and the broader food and beverage industry."
