Waste Heat-enabled IoT Device for Predictive Maintenance

The arrival of industrial Internet of Things (IoT) technology has enabled real-time tracking and remote monitoring of key operational parameters like vibration and temperature, for plant maintenance.

However, the mass deployment of IIoT using wired networks for power supply is capital intensive and not flexible.

Likewise, deployment using battery-powered wireless network (IoT) has low wireless coverage due to battery energy storage limitations and requirements for complex and costly wireless infrastructure, i.e., gateway, etc. If lithium battery is used, it is not environment friendly and not suitable for explosive environments and heat-intensity facilities.

To circumvent this power supply issue, waste heat recovery or energy harvesting is proposed.

In a report published by the US Department of Energy, an estimated 20% to 50% of industrial energy input is lost as waste heat in the form of hot exhaust gases, and heat lost from hot equipment surfaces and heated products. Recovering waste heat losses generate cost savings, reduces environmental impact and improves productivity.

Offgrid Energy (S) Pte Ltd is pleased to work with AEInnova SL, an EU solution provider in autonomous industrial wireless sensor powered by heat for predictive maintenance. The standard offering consists of a thermoelectric generator, iIoT device (wireless node and sensor) and proprietary dashboard for dynamic reporting.