Professor Hussam Jouhara is revolutionising thermal engineering with his cutting-edge heat-pipe technologies. These innovations are not only boosting energy efficiency but also helping industries save money- an essential benefit as energy costs continue to rise.
In the bustling heart of London, the Royal Academy of Engineering was abuzz with excitement. Among the 71 new Fellows being honoured was Professor Hussam Jouhara, a trailblazer in thermal engineering from Brunel University London. His innovative work has not only advanced technology but also provided significant cost savings for industries worldwide. These savings are especially crucial as rising energy bills have put a strain on household budgets, making it harder for people to manage their expenses.
Hussam has revolutionized various industries with his innovative heat-pipe-based technologies. As the founder and Head of the Heat Pipe and Thermal Management Research Group, he has led projects like ETEKINA and iWAYS, which focus on recovering waste heat from industrial processes. These projects have helped factories and power plants across Europe become more energy-efficient, reducing emissions and cutting operational costs, especially crucial as carbon emissions costs and gas prices soared in early 2022. By reducing emissions and energy costs, his work helps mitigate the impact of rising energy bills on consumers, making energy more affordable.
ETEKINA project: Exceeding Technologies
One of his standout achievements is the ETEKINA project, where his team designed heat pipe systems that recover waste heat from industrial processes.
ETEKINA project
These systems were installed in major facilities, including an aluminium plant in Spain, a steel works in Slovenia, and a ceramics factory in Italy. The goal was to recover 40% of the waste heat, but they exceeded this target, recovering over one megawatt of power each. This success has led to global adoption of his designs, offering significant energy savings and reducing energy bills for industries. His heat exchange technology is contributing to recover both water and heat from industrial processes.
iWAYS - Triple Recovery from Industrial Chimneys
Every industrial chimney with a white plume is a waste stream. These streams of highly humid air are released into the atmosphere, whereby energy and water and other substances are released. iWAYS is a research project that uses industrial chimneys as a source and finds solutions to recycle industrial waters in combination with heat and/or substances. iWAYS´ researchers are working on innovative Heat Pipe Condensing Economisers together with water treatment technologies and other water-smart strategies.
A key to this success was developing lab-scale heat pipe heat exchangers (HPHEs) at Brunel University London. These smaller models allowed Hussam and his team to test and refine their designs before full-scale implementation, ensuring they could handle heavy particles in exhaust gases and prevent blockages. This meticulous approach not only improved efficiency but also minimized maintenance costs for the industries using these systems. Efficient and reliable industrial processes mean fewer disruptions and lower costs, which can help alleviate the financial burden on households struggling with high energy bills. These inventive ways have led Hussam to receiving his Fellowship.
Impact and future projects
His work continues to help industries save money while meeting environmental standards. These advancements are vital as they help reduce the overall cost of energy, making it more accessible for everyone during times of rising energy prices.
The lessons learned from ETEKINA and iWAYS are already influencing the new Horizon Europe projects below:
PRIMROCK
PRocess Innovations for the Mineral industry focusing on ROasting and Calcination Kiln technologies and supported by novel pre- and postprocessing
StreamSTEP
Streamlining the optimisation of Sustainable Thermal Energy systems and Prototype technologies in process industries
“I see ETEKINA as being the parent-project of iWAYS, and we’re now pushing our technologies further to recover the latent heat and recycle the water from the exhaust streams at Atlas Concorde and other facilities. So you see, our success story doesn’t stop with the products we developed at ETEKINA – we’re now pushing these to the next level and will bring drastic change to the waste heat recovery systems of the future.” Hussam
Hussam’s journey is a testament to how dedication and innovation can lead to ground breaking advancements. His Fellowship is not just an accolade but a promise of continued excellence and a brighter, more sustainable future for all.