Cogeneration
The Cogeneration Plants
A plant for the combined production of heat and electricity in cascade,
defined as a “cogeneration” plant,
is generally a thermo-electric plant where the fuel input energy is
used to produce electric power and supply technological heat to the
end-user.
A cogeneration plant can operate with “thermal priority”
controls, i.e. first comes the production of thermal energy (Hot
water or steam), or in “electric priority mode”, when
the choice is to attain high electricity production rates.
To enable the “thermal priority” mode to cogeneration
groups is a reliable system to attain, together with relevant energy
savings, very good economical results in the short term.
CHP plants are found in three typologies:
- Internal Combustion engines equipped with a heat recovery system
from the exhaust gases, the engine coolant (cylinder head) and
the lubrication oil.
- Gas Turbines coupled to a boiler that recovers heat from exhaust
gases.
- Steam Turbines in counterpressure or in a condensation/spilling
process.
Every plant, however, has different carachteristics and applicability
fields.
There is no “best solution” applicable to every kind
of user.
Each situation must be evaluated very thoroughly, so to make the
“best fit “ choice case by case.
A CHP plant can be compared to a measure-made suit
that the tailor must cut and sew accordingly to the customer size
and use.
As a special choice, in the case of the Distributed Cogeneration,
choosing a “series engine” from the traditional car and
trucks manufacturers, helps toward price, high overall efficiency,
reliability, easy servicing and in some countries also significant
reduction in taxes.
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