A powerful new simulation tool for Pinch Analysis and Heat Integration has been developed by Dr James Atuonwu, Assistant Professor at the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE), to support the global push for industrial decarbonisation. Designed to solve complex energy integration problems with ease, the tool incorporates advanced features—including heat pump integration—aligned with the growing trend toward electrification of industrial heating.
The tool has already been applied in NMITE’s Challenge-Based Learning projects, where Integrated Engineering students engage with real-world energy efficiency challenges in collaboration with industry partners. It provides a hands-on platform for mastering core engineering principles while contributing to impactful, sustainability-focused solutions.
Pinch Analysis, traditionally used for heat recovery, has evolved into a broader systems integration framework. It systematically matches resource supplies (sources) and demands (sinks) within process constraints (pinches) to minimise waste and maximise efficiency. Today, its applications extend beyond thermal energy to water, wastewater, hydrogen, materials, and power systems—making it an ideal approach for tackling interdisciplinary challenges in Integrated Engineering education.
Dr Atuonwu’s tool visualises heating and cooling resource flows using composite and grand composite curves, identifies energy targets, and designs heat exchanger networks to meet those targets. Its distinguishing feature—heat pump integration—adds a forward-looking capability that enhances its relevance to modern decarbonisation efforts.
In a case study involving a major food manufacturer, the tool demonstrated significant potential: achieving up to 48% savings in heating utilities and 100% in cooling. These results highlight both the technical robustness and real-world impact of the innovation. The research underpinning this tool has been peer-reviewed and published in Education for Chemical Engineers, a journal of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).
Students who have used the tool report a deeper understanding of complex systems and improved problem-solving confidence—valuable, transferrable skills that extend beyond engineering into broader sustainability, planning, and innovation roles.
By bridging theoretical knowledge with industrial application, this new tool exemplifies how academic research at NMITE is addressing real-world sustainability challenges through education, innovation, and collaboration.