The Beckett System Recovery and Utilization of Low Grade Waste Heat From Flue Gas

Abstract

The Beckett Heat Recovery is a series of techniques for recovering low-grade waste heat from flue gas. Until the cost of fossil fuels began rising rapidly, flue gas below 600 F was considered economically unworthy of reclaim. This paper will describe the latest system installation at the John Deere WeIland Works. Partially funded by the Canadian and Ontario Governments in order to demonstrate new energy saving technology, the Beckett Model 2002 employs a heat exchanger which does double duty. During low demand periods, the unit is gas-fired and produces 150 psi steam at high efficiency. In the fall, the heat exchanger is converted to accept flue gas from the large original water tube boilers. The flue gas heats water, which preheats make-up air and boiler feedwater.

Several of the Beckett Systems presently operating use year-round heat recovery exchangers on constant loads. The newest development is the Series 2004 condensing system that reduces flue gas temperature to within 15 F of the heat sink medium.