Technologies
Cogeneration within a power center
Simultaneous generation of electricity and heat.
Cogeneration combines electricity generation with the production of useful heat. In a power plant based on gas engine generator sets, the potential use of heat is assessed against the facility's needs, temperature requirements and load profile.
What's included
- — Heat from engine jackets and exhaust gases
- — Heating, domestic hot water (DHW) and process heat
- — Increased fuel utilization efficiency
- — Matching the thermal schedule with the facility's load
The thermal part of the project
Start with heat demand, then design its recovery
Cogeneration requires more than extracting heat from an engine: the site needs a use for it. Heat users, required temperatures and demand schedules guide the thermal design.
Identify heat users
Consider space heating, hot water production and process needs. Establish the quantity and periods of useful demand for each application.
Connect the systems
Compare the site network’s requirements with the selected unit’s capabilities. Then select heat transfer equipment and define its connection conditions.
Choose recovery points
Depending on the gas engine configuration, heat may be recovered from designated engine circuits and exhaust gases. The suitable arrangement is defined for that equipment package.
Useful thermal output is assessed against engine load, seasonal demand and user temperature requirements. Recovery equipment and its operating costs belong in the assessment; no universal efficiency figure is assumed.