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Cogeneration - Combined Heat and Power (CHP)

Cogeneration, or Combined Heat and Power (CHP), is the production of two kinds of energy — usually electricity and heat — from a single source of fuel. Cogeneration can replace the traditional method of supplying energy from multiple sources, e.g., purchasing electricity from the power grid and burning natural gas or oil separately in a furnace to produce heat or steam. These methods can waste up to two–thirds of the energy in the original fuel — losses that are made up for in high utility rates.

Biomass Cogeneration

Biomass is regenerative organic material used for energy production. Sources for biomass fuel include terrestrial and aquatic vegetation, agricultural and forestry residues, and municipal and animal wastes. The major characteristics of biomass are ability to renew, low cost, low emission, no increase in atmospheric CO2, uneconomical for transportation over long distances, and high tendency for fouling or slagging during combustion. The biomass electric power production uses direct combustion. In a direct combustion process, the biomass is burned to complete combustion in a boiler. The thermal energy released is used to produce steam for process heating and/or for generation of electricity.

Benefits of on–site cogeneration systems:

> Capture and use most heat that is normally wasted

> Generate electricity more efficiently than central power stations

Integrating power and heat production into one on–site cogeneration system can generate savings of up to 35 percent for total energy expenditures. Today, advances in biomass, diesel and lean–burn gas reciprocating engine technology, heat exchangers and systems controls make cogeneration practical and economical for many applications as small as 30 kW.

Other benefits include:

> Cleaner air from more efficient fuel use

> Easy installation and expansion

> High reliability

Changes in the electricity supply, economics, technology and energy policies make cogeneration a smart, cost–effective choice due to:

> A global emissions reduction mandate and generous tax credits for CHP projects

> Companies who build, own and operate turnkey CHP systems

> High electricity rates throughout the world

> Technological advances that have made cogeneration a more viable option

Cogeneration applications:

> Hospitals

> Nursing homes

> Colleges and universities

> Commercial facilities

> Hotels

> Greenhouses

> Industrial/chemical plants

> Manufacturing

> Government facilities

> Food processing

> Health clubs

> Swimming pools

> District heating

> Coal mining and oil fields

> Landfills and sewage treatment plants

Source:

The above article is courtesy of the Cummins Power Generation. To view the full publication, follow this link - http://www.cumminspower.com/cogeneration/

Images courtesy of their respective owners.

A Company - www.nuenergygroup.com