Important Points About Cogeneration System
- Co-generation is the system which produces two forms of energy from one fuel.
- Large amount of heat in the exhaust steam or flue gases can be used for other purposes, increasing overall efficiency of the system.
- Co-generation system can be classified on the basis of energy use as :
- Topping cycle.
- Bottoming cycle.
Cogeneration system can be classified on the basis of technology as :
- Steam turbine co-generation system.
- Gas turbine co-generation system.
- Reciprocating engine co-generation system.
Following factors govern the selection of cogeneration system
- Heat to power ratio.
- Load pattern.
- Type of fuel available.
- Quality of thermal energy required.
- System reliability.
- Electricity buy-back.
- Grid dependent system and independent system.
- Local environmental regulations.
- Base electrical load matching.
- Base thermal load matching.
- Electrical load matching.
- Thermal load matching.
Following are the advantages of cogeneration :
- It meets electrical as well as heat power requirements.
- It reduces cost of plant.
- Waste heat from discharge steam can be used.
- It provides additional competitiveness.
- Pollutants are reduced.
- High efficiency is achieved.
- Eliminates SO2, and CO2 emission if natural gas is used as a fuel.
- Natural resources can be used.
- Requires less cooling water.
- Biomass fuels, refinery gases and agricultural waste can be used as fuel.
- Heat energy is by-product.
- It offers decentralization in electricity generation.
