Next-Generation Waste Heat Recovery: Technologies for Sustainable Thermal Energy Management

Waste heat recovery represents a critical frontier in sustainable energy management, offering substantial opportunities to improve industrial energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This chapter examines next-generation technologies for capturing and utilizing waste heat across various temperature ranges and industrial applications. Advanced thermoelectric materials, organic Rankine cycles, heat pumps, and phase change materials are
revolutionizing the field by enabling efficient energy conversion from previously unusable thermal streams. Modern waste heat recovery systems can achieve energy savings of 15-50% in industrial processes while significantly reducing operational costs and environmental
impact [1]. The integration of artificial intelligence and smart control systems has further enhanced system performance and reliability. Through comprehensive analysis of emerging technologies, performance metrics, and real-world implementations, this chapter demonstrates how next-generation waste heat recovery solutions are transforming industrial energy landscapes. The economic viability
and environmental benefits of these technologies position them as essential components of sustainable manufacturing and energy intensive operations.