The Potential of Solar Process Heating in the Chemical Sector of Jordan

Kurzfassung

Industry in Jordan accounts for approximately 20% of the final energy demand while around 60% of this industrial energy consumption is used for process heating. Renewable energy, especially solar, can contribute significantly to reduce the energy costs of Jordan industry, also in the chemical sector. With the first solar steam generation plant at RAM Pharma being in operation for more than 2 years also the technological feasibility has been proven in Jordan. To foster the widespread application of solar process heating in the chemical industry in Jordan a better understanding of the sector and its processes is needed. This paper (i) reviews the status of solar process heating, (ii) assesses the chemical sector in Jordan in general to identify key sub-sectors and (iii) examines a specific industry for its application potential of solar process heating.