HONEYWELL TECHNOLOGY HELPS HEPWORTH BREWERY CUT CARBON EMISSIONS

Honeywell announced that UK-based Hepworth Brewery is now using its low global warming potential (GWP) Solstice^® 1233zd refrigerant in a groundbreaking heat pump system to help decarbonize beer production as part of a pilot program.

In the brewing process, heat is an essential component that is often delivered via high temperature steam pipes that emit waste vapour. With the integration of Futraheat’s Greensteam heat pump, which uses Honeywell’s Solstice technology, Hepworth Brewery is now able to recycle the waste vapour. Instead of releasing this vapour into the atmosphere, the heat pump boosts it to provide steam at 130 degrees Celsius, 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.

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’s Solstice product 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 programme, managed by the Carbon Trust. The programme 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 global warming potential 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 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."