British brewery first in the UK business to install low-emissions heat pump

Sussex-based Hepworth Brewery is using a Greensteam heat pump, developed by Surbiton start-up Futraheat, to deliver low-carbon heat to fuel the brewing process.

Unlike most heat pumps, which deliver hot water up to around 80°C, the Futraheat heat pump can produce steam up to 130°C – vital for the brewing industry and said to be a first for the UK.

According to Hepworth Brewery, the new heat pump is expected to reduce the energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with wort boiling by up to 90 per cent, whilst lowering fuel costs by up to 40 per cent, with potential to roll out the technology across the whole brewing process.

Heat, delivered through high temperature steam pipes, is a vital component of brewing and many other industrial processes, and is usually delivered by boilers running on gas or fuel oil.

With the new system, Hepworth Brewery can now recycle waste vapour from the brewing process, normally vented to atmosphere, and boost it via Futraheat’s heat pump to deliver useful steam back to the brewery at 130°C.