TechConnect Ventures

Sprint Challenge Brief:

Harvesting Waste Heat From Industrial Operations

Submissions Closed

Background and Areas of Interest

Industrial facilities generate heat across a diverse range of technology space, applications, and processes. This heat impacts operations significantly from the physical layout of the site to safety concerns for workers. Additionally, waste heat impacts the overall energy efficiency of a facility. By utilizing the latest in energy harvesting technologies, industrial operations can capture wast heat and concert it into useful purposes within the facility.

TechConnect Ventures seeks all technologies capable of harvesting and converting waste heat. We are interested in recovery of all grades of waste heat with primary concern for low grade waste heat. For the purpose of this sprint, we define grades of waste in this way:

  • High grade waste heat: temperatures in excess of 400°C
  • Medium grade waste heat: temperatures between 100°C and 400°C
  • Low grade waste heat: temperatures below 100°C

We are also interested in technologies that employ direct or indirect recovery. Pathways of potential interest include but are not limited to:

  • Heat exchangers
  • Finned tube
  • Plate
  • Waste heat boilers
  • Air preheaters
  • Pipe systems
  • Heat pipes
  • Pulsating heat pipes
  • Heat recovery steam generation
  • Direct power generators
  • Thermoelectric
  • Piezoelectric
  • Thermionic
  • Thermo photovoltaic

We are not interested in approaches utilizing micro plastics or materials of health or environmental concern.

While we are most interested in deployment-ready technologies, we will consider promising approaches of all technical maturities.

Through this sprint, we will facilitate contact and interactions between the sponsor and active researchers or technology developers in the space. We are significantly interested in submissions and novel concepts from individuals in academia and research, but all viable technology providers may respond for potential commercial opportunities with the client.


Requirements

We encourage solvers submitting an entry to highlight key innovation areas in their submission that meet criteria including:

  • Type of waste heat recovery technology
  • Anticipated grade of waste heat recovered
  • Suitable placement(s) for proposed technology
  • Anticipated formfactor
  • Anticipated operational lifespan
  • Technical maturity (TRL)

Business Opportunity for Solvers

We will include all complete and eligible entries in an exclusive innovation opportunity report for our client. TechConnect Ventures or our client may contact directly any well-matched capabilities to discuss potential partnership opportunities include, but not limited to, demonstrations, consulting, contract research, licensing, and more. TechConnect Ventures may also invite top rated entries to participate in an upcoming event or pitch program.


Participation Rules & Guidelines

We encourage solvers to review the Rules and Guidelines for details about participation, including submission criteria, eligibility information, and more.


Download Challenge Brief

QUESTIONS? Contact Executive Director, Nick Kacsandi at info@techconnectventures.com