Membrane electrolysis is electricity driven, and can only be a sustainable technology if this electricity can be sourced sustainably.
Given the recent and projected increase in renewable electricity generation from sources such as wind and solar [2], moving energy consumption from gas combustion to an electrically driven heat pump could be an environmental benefit.
Electricity drives the cold chain, with 24.5 TJ in 2014.
It is the electricity supply that provides much of the heat, as well as the power to drive pumps, compressors, refrigeration plant, instrumentation, lighting (both standard and emergency), control systems of all types, and computers and communication systems.
The collected electricity drives a heat pump, which converts the electrical energy into thermal energy.
Initially, electrically driven mechanical vapor compression heat pumps were used.
It developed a motor controller used to convert solar power into electricity to drive water pumps, but the market for the device never really developed.
Many refineries also produce electricity for lighting, electric motor-driven pumps, and compressors and instrumentation systems.
In the US, China and India, the heavily irrigated fields that once fed millions of city dwellers become desert again as aquifers are depleted, the electricity to drive the well pumps becomes too expensive to support farming, and the ships that once brought new pumps and spare parts stop sailing.
The classical lube system arrangement consists of a steam turbine driven main pump and motor drive auxiliary pump.
