What is cogeneration?

Cogeneration, through combined heat and power (CHP), is the simultaneous production of electricity with the recovery and utilization of heat.

This is a highly efficient form of energy conversion that can save up to 40 percent on primary energy compared to purchasing separate electricity and generating heat from an on-site boiler.

Combined heat and power plants are typically located close to the end user to reduce transmission and distribution losses, thus improving the performance of the electrical transmission and distribution network.

For users who consider security of supply very important when choosing power generation equipment and who have abundant gas, a gas-based cogeneration system is ideal as a captive power plant.

Heat sources of a gas engine

Generator heat is available in five areas:

• Cylinder cooling water.
• Cooling oil for engine lubrication.
• First stage intercooler air intake.
• Engine exhaust gases.
• Engine generator heat, second stage intercooler.

Point one, two and three are recoverable as water, typically at a 70/90º C return flow basis, which can be interconnected with the site in a plate heat exchanger.

The exhaust gases from the engine generally leave it at a temperature of between 400 and 500º C. This can be used directly in drying in a waste heat boiler to generate steam, or in a heat exchanger of the exhaust gas combined with the of the refrigeration circuits.

Heat from the second stage of the intercooler is also available for recovery as a lower grade. Similarly, new technologies for converting heat into electricity are already available.

CHP Applications

A variety of fuels are used to facilitate cogeneration. In gas engine applications, CHP is usually applied for natural gas (commercial, residential, and industrial), biogas, and coal gas applications.

CHP system efficiency

The efficiency of engine gas combined heat and power systems is measured through the conversion of fuel gas to useful outputs.

First, the energy at the fuel gas inlet is converted into mechanical energy through the combustion of the gas in the engine cylinders, and the resulting action in turn turns the engine crankshaft. Then, mechanical energy is used to turn the engine's alternator and thus produce electricity. There is a small amount of loss inherent in the process.

Cogeneration applications

• Hotels, hostels, guest house.
• Asylums.
• Hostels.
• Hospitals and clinics.
• Airports.
• Heating plants.
• Pools.
• Waterparks.
• Spas.
• Gyms.
• Schools.
• Office buildings.
• Supermarkets.
• Agriculture complexes.
• Industrial complexes.
• Laundries.
• Residential.

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