Absorption Heat Pumps
Upgrade waste heat to high-temperature hot water and steam for district heating and industrial processes. 500kW to 40MW capacity, output temperatures up to 160°C, natural refrigerant (water).
Transform Low-Grade Waste Heat Into Valuable Thermal Energy
Thermax absorption heat pumps utilize low-grade waste heat from industrial processes, CHP plants, or waste incineration to produce high-temperature hot water or steam for district heating networks and industrial applications.
Our heat pump technology enables facilities to recover and upgrade thermal energy that would otherwise be rejected to the atmosphere — achieving dramatic energy savings, carbon emission reductions, and improved overall system efficiency.
With natural refrigerant (water) and proven performance in demanding applications worldwide, Thermax absorption heat pumps deliver sustainable heating solutions from 500kW to 40MW capacity.
Heat Pump Technologies
Comprehensive absorption heat pump portfolio covering Type I heat pumps for heat amplification, Type II heat transformers for temperature boosting, and combined heat pump-chiller systems for simultaneous heating and cooling.
Absorption Heat Pumps (Type I)
Single-effect steam or hot water driven heat amplification
Type I absorption heat pumps extract heat from low-temperature waste sources and deliver it at medium to high temperatures using high-grade driving energy. Thermax heat pumps utilize steam, hot water, exhaust gas, fuel, geothermal energy, or any combination of these sources to achieve temperature lifts of 30-80°C — producing hot water or steam for district heating, process heating, or boiler feedwater preheating.
Key Specifications
- Capacity range: 500kW to 40MW
- Temperature lift: 30°C to 80°C
- Output temperatures: Up to 160°C hot water or steam
- Heat source: 60°C to 120°C waste heat
- COP: Up to 1.7 (thermal coefficient of performance)
- Natural refrigerant: Water (GWP = 0)
- Recover heat from cooling tower water, flue gas condensation, low-temperature industrial processes
- Ideal for district heating networks requiring 70-90°C supply temperature
- Applications: District heating, industrial steam generation, process heating, boiler feedwater heating
- Achieve 40% energy savings compared to conventional boiler-only systems
- Compatible with geothermal, wastewater, industrial cooling water heat sources
Heat Transformers (Type II)
Thermally-driven temperature upgrading without external energy
Type II absorption heat transformers upgrade medium-temperature waste heat to higher useful temperatures without requiring external high-grade energy input. Unlike Type I heat pumps, heat transformers operate in reverse mode — using an absorption cycle driven entirely by the heat source itself. Approximately 50% of the input heat is revalued to a higher temperature, making them ideal for industrial process heat recovery where abundant waste heat is available.
Key Specifications
- Capacity range: 500kW to 5MW
- Temperature upgrade: 30°C to 50°C lift
- Input temperature: 80°C to 120°C waste heat
- Output temperature: 110°C to 160°C
- Thermal COP: 0.4 to 0.5 (approximately 50% of input heat revalued)
- Natural refrigerant: Water with lithium bromide absorbent
- Zero electrical input required for the thermodynamic cycle — only pumping power
- Perfect for facilities with abundant medium-temperature waste heat
- Applications: Process heat recovery in chemical plants, refineries, petrochemical facilities
- Enables waste heat upgrading from 90°C to 140°C for industrial steam generation
- Particularly suitable for heat recovery in energy-intensive industries
Heat Pump Chillers (Combined Systems)
Simultaneous heating and cooling from single unit
Thermax heat pump-chiller combination systems provide both heating and cooling outputs simultaneously — maximizing energy utilization and system efficiency. During winter operation, the unit functions in heat pump mode to supply district heating or process heat. During summer, it switches to chilling mode for air conditioning or process cooling. Year-round operation ensures excellent return on investment and continuous waste heat utilization regardless of seasonal heating/cooling demand.
Key Specifications
- Capacity range: 500kW to 10MW (heating/cooling)
- Heating mode: Hot water up to 90°C for district heating
- Cooling mode: Chilled water 5-12°C for air conditioning
- Heat source: Low-grade waste heat, geothermal, solar thermal
- Operational flexibility: Automatic mode switching based on demand
- Natural refrigerant: Water (GWP = 0)
- Single system replaces separate heating boiler and electric chiller
- Ideal for facilities with year-round heating and seasonal cooling requirements
- Applications: Hotels, hospitals, universities, commercial complexes, industrial facilities
- Significantly reduces electrical consumption for cooling compared to compression chillers
- Lower operating and maintenance costs than operating two separate systems
- Enables carbon credit generation through reduced fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions
Hamburg Waste-to-Energy Project
In a landmark achievement for sustainable district heating, Thermax installed three THP S1 H2 single-effect steam-fired heat pumps (each 16MW capacity) at Hamburg’s Borsigstraße waste-to-energy plant in 2021.
This pioneering project dramatically increases the efficiency of heat generation from waste incineration, supplying nearly 10% of Hamburg’s district heating needs while saving over 104,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
The installation was recognized with the prestigious German Renewables Award 2021, positioning the project as one of Europe’s leading examples of waste heat recovery for urban heating networks.
State officials and Hamburg’s environmental authority praised the project as a major contribution to the city’s climate goals and heat transition strategy.
Why Choose Absorption Heat Pumps?
Absorption heat pumps deliver compelling environmental and economic benefits — transforming waste heat into revenue while advancing sustainability goals and reducing carbon footprint.
Maximize Waste Heat Value
Recover and upgrade thermal energy from industrial processes, CHP plants, waste incineration, or geothermal sources that would otherwise be rejected. Transform waste into a valuable resource.
Revenue Generation
Monetize waste heat by supplying thermal energy to district heating operators, adjacent facilities, or internal processes. Create new income streams while reducing primary fuel consumption.
Carbon Emission Reduction
Displace fossil fuel boilers in district heating systems or industrial processes. Achieve significant CO₂ savings that contribute to corporate sustainability targets and climate commitments.
Minimal Electrical Consumption
Unlike compression heat pumps, absorption systems require only minimal electricity for pumping and controls. Ideal for facilities seeking to reduce grid electricity dependency.
Enhanced System Efficiency
Increase overall facility energy efficiency to 80-90% when integrated with CHP systems. Achieve faster return on investment through energy cost savings and improved productivity.
Proven Technology
Thermax absorption heat pumps operate successfully worldwide — from European district heating networks to industrial facilities across 90+ countries. ISO 9001 certified, backed by decades of expertise.
Applications & Industries
Thermax absorption heat pumps serve diverse sectors — from municipal district heating to industrial process heating, waste-to-energy plants to commercial facilities.
District Heating Networks
Supply 70-90°C hot water for urban heating from waste incineration or industrial waste heat
Industrial Process Heating
Upgrade low-grade waste heat for process applications, steam generation, drying operations
Waste-to-Energy Plants
Recover heat from flue gas condensation and waste incineration for district heating supply
Chemical & Petrochemical
Process heat recovery, waste heat upgrading, steam generation from low-temperature sources
Hotels & Commercial
Year-round heating and cooling, hot water supply, combined heat pump-chiller operation
Geothermal Applications
Upgrade geothermal energy from 60-80°C to 90-110°C for district heating distribution
Wastewater Treatment
Recover heat from treated wastewater, sludge drying processes, digester gas CHP exhaust
Healthcare Facilities
Hospital heating, hot water supply, combined heating and cooling for year-round comfort
Transform Waste Heat Into Value
Our engineering team will analyze your waste heat sources and thermal requirements to design the optimal absorption heat pump solution — maximizing energy recovery and return on investment.
Request Heat Recovery Analysis