Cogeneration techniques

Any production of mechanical, and consequently electrical, energy from any fuel involves the release of heat to a cold source. Cogeneration involves using this heat rather than losing it to the atmosphere. Cogeneration therefore saves energy and, consequently, reduces the overall cost of the energy produced.

Cogeneration encompasses a whole range of processes (also known as cycles, streams or systems), some of which involve complex techniques. It can be applied to a wide range of industrial and HVAC applications. It covers a very wide range of electrical power: from tens of kilowatts for small reciprocating engines to more than 50 MW for large-scale thermoelectric district or factory heating plants. Our expertise covers a wide range of techniques.

The main purpose of cogeneration is economic, so its study must show :

• how it can be implemented (technology) ;

• how it can be financially profitable.

This topic is the subject of three articles:

• The cogeneration techniques covered in this text describe the different types of equipment and common principles, and present installation diagrams with performance data;

• cogeneration in industry ;

• cogeneration in HVAC.