Products
High-temperature heatpump-Systems
ASA high-temperature heat pumps for industrial process heat
Conventional compressors quickly reach their physical and economic limits at high temperatures. Materials, seals, oil circuits, and efficiency levels limit the industrial heat transition in the range of 120 to 350 °C exhaust air temperature.
ASA breaks through this barrier. We transfer almost 40 years of high-speed compressor expertise from the automotive, railway, aerospace, Formula 1, research institutes and industrial sectors to high-temperature heat pumps – thereby opening up temperature ranges that were previously considered “impossible.”
Proven quality
ASA is the only manufacturer worldwide that supplies high-speed, mechanically driven radial compressors as OEM components for combustion engines in serial production to well-known vehicle manufacturers – with the highest requirements in terms of quality, service life, NVH (noise, vibration, harshness), power density, weight, and reliability.
Competence center for high temperatures – in collaboration with the DLR
ASA is collaborating with the DLR (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt) to develop high-temperature heat pump technologies and supplies core products for test benches under real high-temperature conditions. Several ASA systems are already operating successfully there.
Preparing the breakthrough for industrial energy supply
ASA-based high-temperature heat pumps reduce fossil-fuel-generated process heat by up to 70% and, for the first time, enable economical decarbonization in industrial temperature ranges.
2.1 Radial compressors with extremely high power density
Mono/tandem compressor units with speeds exceeding 130,000 rpm enable maximum power densities for compact high-temperature heat pumps.
2.2 Freely configurable transmission
ASA offers freely selectable gear ratios up to i = 1:50 via planetary or spur gearboxes.
2.3 Air riding seal – oil-free, contact-free, high-temperature resistant
Contact-free sealing, no wear, maximum process purity, e.g., for water vapor (R718), NH3, and sensitive media.
2.4 Roller bearings – designed for 24/7 industrial operation
Proven precision bearings, optionally available in ceramic design, with very high life expectancy.
2.5 Noise & vibrations
No pulsating forces, no compressor noise, no vibrations – ideal for building services and container applications.
3.1 Temperature range & fluid resistance
Operation up to 350 °C, including through the use of titanium and Inconel, system experience >700 °C (aerospace). Suitable for at least water vapor (R718), NH3, CO2, air. Special gases on request.
3.2 R718 – Water as a working cycle fluid
Water is the ideal medium for HTWP above 100 °C: high evaporation enthalpy, CO2-neutral, safe, and efficient.
3.3 Why ASA compressors are ideal for water-R718
ASA offers oil-free compression, minimal water ingress into the transmission oil, and stable compression even with large temperature range.
3.4 Multi-stage high-temperature heat pumps
Two-stage compression as standard, three-stage for special applications.
3.5 ASA performance levels
ASA HTWP units are available in modular power ratings (e.g., 15, 25, 70, and 250 kW) and can be arranged parallel or redundantly. Each system is not a standard product, but is individually designed for the respective customer process.
3.6 Service drawer – easy maintenance
All maintenance-relevant components are located in an easily replaceable service drawer. Replacement takes just minutes, with no extensive dismantling required. Our service drawer is a fully modular maintenance approach: defined interfaces, quick replacement, clear service intervals, and maximum system availability => low life cycle costs (LCC).
3.7 Aerospace technology expertise – from industry to space
At the beginning of 2025, two ASA radial compressors flew into space for the first time aboard a SpaceX mission with an international space partner. Details remain confidential – what is crucial is their use under extreme thermal (1,000°K) and mechanical loads (vibration and acceleration).
3.8 High-performance materials & extreme temperatures
ASA processes titanium, Inconel, and other superalloys, sometimes using additive manufacturing combined with precise machining to produce components for temperatures well above 700 °C.
3.9 FFT-based machine condition diagnosis
ASA records vibration velocities/accelerations in three dimensions and evaluates bearing conditions, gearing, balancing quality, and dynamic conditions of high-speed assemblies.
3.10 In-house precision balancing
Our high-speed compressor systems are finely tuned on ASA’s own balancing units – for minimal residual unbalance, optimum smoothness and longest durability.
4.1 Process purity
ASA: Oil-free compressing – essential for steam and NH3 applications.
4.2 Lifespan
The compression chamber is separated from the gear chamber by a contact-free seal. The compressor rotors run with a defined, small gap to the compressor housing and thus operate without mechanical contact and without wear. This ensures that the compression process remains completely wear-free.
Furthermore, short-term fatigue and long-term fatigue are taken into account and optimized in the design of the compressor rotors. In addition, finely tuned rotor dynamics and mechanical implementation play an important role: in particular, the precisely balanced high-speed compressor unit reduces vibrations and dynamic loads in the long term. In combination with proven roller bearings – optionally in a hybrid design – and gear technology that has been used successfully for decades, this results in an exceptionally long service life for the entire system.
4.3 Size and integration
Compact, lightweight, modular – ideal integration even in compact installation spaces.
4.4 Noise & Vibration
No vibrations, low-noise compressor noise – “silent engineering” for industrial environments.
4.5 Materials, manufacturing, and diagnostics expertise – Aerospace Inside
ASA has material and manufacturing expertise from aerospace technology: titanium, Inconel, additive manufacturing, precise machining of high-temperature materials.
Fourier analysis provides information about internal system conditions: gear modes, bearing conditions, balance quality. Our own high-speed balancing machines ensure maximum smoothness and lifespan.
Several ASA devices are successfully operating at DLR in research and continuous operation in various high-temperature heat pump applications.
Typical target applications for ASA high-temperature heat pumps include:
- Process heat supply in the range of 120–350 °C
- Drying processes (belt, spray, and hot-air dryers, evaporators)
- Low-pressure steam generation from waste heat up to approx. 10 bar
- Chemical and pharmaceutical industries (reactors, heaters, distillation/rectification)
- Paper, printing, and packaging industry (dry cylinders, hot air systems)
- Food industry (pasteurization, sterilization, cooking, and evaporation processes)
- Waste heat recovery from hot exhaust air and exhaust gas streams in the metal, glass, and ceramics industries
- Preheating of process and combustion air to relief conventional furnaces
Reduction in fossil fuel-based process heat by up to 70%:
ASA compressors enable the heat transition in processes that were previously powered exclusively by fossil energy.
The following table shows typical scenarios and allows you to visualize your own system.
7.1 Sample calculations
Reduction of fossil fuel-based process heat by up to 70%
ASA compressors enable the heat transition in processes that were previously powered exclusively by fossil fuels. Use the calculator to determine your individual savings potential. In the last row, you can enter your individual values for power, operating hours, and energy price. The annual energy costs, savings potential, and CO2 reduction are calculated immediately.
Select your energy type:
0,18 €/kWh
0,06 €/kWh
0,10 €/kWh
| Heating power [MW] |
Annual working hours [h/a] | Energy costs [€/kWh] |
Energy costs without ASA HT-WP [€/a] |
Energy costs with ASA HT-WP (-70%) [€/a] |
Savings [€/a] |
CO₂-Savings [t CO₂/a] |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample 1 | 1,0 | 4.000 | 0,18 | 720.000 € | 216.000 € | 504.000 € | 1.120 t |
| Sample 2 | 2,0 | 6.000 | 0,18 | 2.160.000 € | 648.000 € | 1.512.000 € | 3.360 t |
| Your process | 0,18 | – | – | – | – |
1. What temperatures are possible with ASA-HT heat pumps?
In typical applications, temperatures of up to 350 °C are reached. In research projects, our experience shows that temperatures can be significantly higher. The most important factors are your process and the available temperature range.
2. Which working media can be used?
Depending on the application, R718 (water), air, and application-specific special gases may be used.
3. What is the typical savings potential??
Compared to process heat generated purely from fossil fuels, savings of 60–70% in energy and CO2 costs are realistic. The table in section 7 shows example scenarios.
4. Is my factory process suitable for an HT heat pump?
Every industrial HT heat pump is a project-specific system. We use our industrial inquiry form to collect the most important data and provide you with a well-founded assessment.
5. How is maintenance and service performed?
About the ASA service drawer: Core components, fluids, filters, etc. are replaced as a complete unit. This reduces expense and downtime to a minimum.
6. Are there any funding opportunities?
In many european countries, high-temperature heat pumps can be funded through efficiency and decarbonization programs (e.g., BEW/BAFA, EU programs).
R718
Technical designation for water as a working medium. Particularly suitable for high-temperature heat pumps due to its high evaporation enthalpy.
Air-riding-seal
Non-contact seal between the compressor and the gearbox compartment. It operates oil-free, is virtually wear-free, and is therefore ideal for sensitive media such as water vapor or NH3.
Raise of temperature
Difference between evaporator and condensation temperature. It significantly determines the energy requirement and the design of the heat pump.
Service-drawer
Modular ASA maintenance system in which all relevant components are combined in a replaceable unit. This allows maintenance work to be carried out quickly and in a planned manner.
COP (Coefficient of Performance)
Ratio of heat output to input power consumption. A COP of 3 means that 1 kW of electrical power provides 3 kW of heat.