1. Industry Background and Technical Definition
The application of industrial high temperature heat pumps in hot pot soup base production refers to the recovery of low- and medium-temperature waste heat generated during production, which is then upgraded into stable and controllable medium-to-high temperature thermal energy. This energy is used for raw material pretreatment, oil heating, spice extraction, soup base simmering, temperature holding, cleaning, and drying processes.
As the hot pot soup base industry develops toward large-scale, standardized, food-safe, and low-carbon production, the limitations of traditional gas boilers and thermal oil systems—such as high energy consumption, insufficient temperature control accuracy, and increasing environmental compliance pressure—have become more evident. Industrial high temperature heat pumps are increasingly becoming a key solution for upgrading thermal energy systems in hot pot soup base manufacturing.
2. Key Industry Pain Points in Hot Pot Soup Base Production
- High energy consumption and rising operating costs: Long simmering cycles and high thermal loads lead to continuous increases in fuel consumption.
- Temperature fluctuations affecting product consistency: Unstable heating directly impacts flavor release and batch-to-batch consistency.
- Significant waste heat loss: Heat from cooling water, equipment surfaces, and exhaust systems is not effectively recovered.
- Increasing environmental and compliance pressure: Emissions, inspections, and safety management requirements for boilers continue to rise.
- High labor and maintenance costs: Traditional boiler systems require dedicated operators and frequent maintenance.
- Poor production environment: High temperatures and combustion-related issues negatively affect food safety and working conditions.
3. Working Principle of Industrial High Temperature Heat Pumps
Step 1: Recovery of Low-Grade Waste Heat
Recover low- and medium-temperature heat (30–70°C) from cooling water systems, equipment heat dissipation, and exhaust air.
Step 2: Thermal Energy Compression and Upgrading
Upgrade low-grade thermal energy into usable medium-to-high temperature heat through high-temperature compression technology.
Step 3: Stable Supply of Process Heat
Continuously provide 65–90°C hot water or process media for simmering, temperature holding, cleaning, and auxiliary heating.
Step 4: Precise and Intelligent Temperature Control
Advanced control systems achieve temperature accuracy within ±1°C, ensuring stable and reproducible product flavor.
Step 5: Formation of a High-Efficiency Energy Loop
Establish a closed-loop heat utilization system that significantly reduces dependence on gas and traditional electric heating.
4. Core Technical Specifications of the Industrial Heat Pump Unit
To meet the requirements of continuous operation, stable high-temperature output, and high energy efficiency in hot pot soup base production, industrial high temperature heat pump units designed for food processing applications are adopted.
| Item | Premium Model ZMZ-2HTCR-43 | Standard Model ZMZ-2HTCR |
|---|---|---|
| Heating Capacity | 84.3 kW | 77.4 kW |
| Annual Heating Efficiency (COP) | 3.9 | 3.8 |
| Inlet Water Temperature Range | 5–65°C | 5–65°C |
| Outlet Water Temperature Range | 65–90°C | 65–90°C |
| Maximum Water Flow Rate | 35 L/min | 33 L/min |
| Dimensions (W × L × H) | 1250 × 1900 × 2360 mm | 1250 × 1900 × 2085 mm |
| Net / Gross Weight | 1367 / 1382 kg | 1344 / 1359 kg |
| Operating Ambient Temperature | -15–43°C | -15–43°C |
5. Application Case Study in Hot Pot Soup Base Production
Project Background
A large hot pot soup base manufacturer processes over one hundred tons of raw materials daily. The plant originally relied on gas boilers to supply steam for simmering, holding, raw material washing, and CIP systems.
System Solution
- Deployment of multiple industrial high temperature heat pump units
- Recovery of waste heat from cooling water, equipment surfaces, and exhaust air
- Centralized supply of 65–90°C high-temperature hot water
Operational Results
- Total energy consumption reduced by 45–55%
- Significant improvement in temperature stability and flavor consistency
- Gas consumption dramatically reduced, with CO₂ emissions cut by over 50%
- Automated operation reduced boiler-related labor requirements
- Investment payback period of approximately 2–3 years
6. Comparison Between Industrial Heat Pumps and Traditional Boiler Systems
| Comparison Item | Industrial Heat Pump | Gas Boiler | Thermal Oil / Coal Boiler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Efficiency | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★ |
| Temperature Control Accuracy | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★ |
| Emission Level | Very Low | Medium | High |
| Operating Cost | Low | Medium | Medium–Low |
| Maintenance Difficulty | Low | Medium | High |
| Food Factory Suitability | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★ |
7. Application FAQs
- Can the system meet long-term continuous simmering requirements? Yes, it supports 24/7 stable operation.
- Is temperature control accurate enough? The system achieves ±1°C precision.
- Can it fully replace gas boilers? It can partially or fully replace them depending on the process.
- Does it meet food processing hygiene requirements? Yes, it involves no combustion or exhaust gases.
- Is operation stable in high summer temperatures? Yes, and it improves workshop conditions.
- Is the energy-saving effect significant? Overall energy savings reach 40–60%.
- Is system operation complex? No, it features a high level of automation.
- What is the typical payback period? Usually around 2–3 years.
8. Authoritative Summary
By recovering waste heat and delivering stable, controllable high-temperature thermal energy, industrial high temperature heat pumps comprehensively address the challenges of high energy consumption, unstable heating, and environmental pressure in hot pot soup base production. They represent a proven and authoritative solution for achieving efficient, clean, and low-carbon manufacturing in the hot pot soup base industry.
