| Cogeneration |
| WHAT IS COGENERATION? |
Cogeneration defines those processes in which useful electric (or mechanical) energy and heat energy are produced simultaneously from fuel.
Cogeneration systems are efficient alternatives to traditional mains-energised systems and boilers.
Cogeneration is a fully developed technology that is well introduced in the industrial sector. For a few years now, owing to its unquestionable advantages, it has also been successfully used in the service sector.
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| COGENERATION WITH HOT AIR PRODUCTION |
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Cogeneration with hot air production for drying processes is the simpler system, since the elements necessary for heat recovery are basically the same as would be required to cool the engine. This type of cogeneration is usable in processes where hot air is needed for drying purposes, namely in the ceramic industry, lucerne dehydration, manure or sludge dewatering, etc. |
Heat from the engine liners, in the form of hot water, is converted into hot air in an aircooler. And this hot air is.mixed with the exhaust gases in a chamber. On the controlled mixing process and the correct determination of the amount of air needed by the drying process depends the success of an application in which GUASCOR posses a very extensive experience. |
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COGENERATION FOR AIR CONDITIONING-ABSORPTION |
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Using cogeneration to produce hot water for heating systems is widespread in all of Euroope. Since the demand for heating varies according to the seasons, a cogeneration system would not be profitable if heat generated by the cogeneration modules were not used in the summer.
In summer, what is really needed is cold water for air conditioning, and this is usually obtained by means of high power-consuming refrigerating compressors.
An effective alternative presently consists in using absorption machines (chillers) which are fed with hot water from the cogeneration modules and provide cold water without any draw on electric energy. This makes it possible to get a uniform curve of the cogeneration receiving facilities' heat energy demand and to reduce the electricity bill at the same time. The system is successfully used in air conditioning plants for the tertiary sector as well as in important industrial applications, such as the food, chemical and other industries.
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COGENERATION WITH HOT WATER PRODUCTION
ALL-WATER MODULES |
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Cogeneration with hot water production probably is the type of cogeneration first put into practice.
The so produced hot water can be used as is either as Sanitary Hot Water or in washing, heating or any industrial processes.
Its scope of application is very wide, ranging from applications in the tertiary sector, such as hospitals, hotels, sports centres, swimming pools, hypermarkets, etc., to the most complex uses in an industrial environment.
Hot water is produced by recovering almost the total engine heat. Heat from oil and intercooler is used; heat is recovered from the wet liners circuit and the exhaust gases.
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| COGENERATION IN GREENHOUSES |
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Due to its great energy utilisation rate and contribution to photosynthesis, cogeneration reaches its maximum level of effectiveness when applied to greenhouses. GUASCOR has installed over 300 systems in various greenhouses in Spain and other European countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Germany, etc.
Natural gas-operated cogeneration modules represent a very profitable investment. New cogeneration laws have changed the framework for their installation very favourably. (RD 43612004). Investments can be rapidly paid back thanks to the possibility of selling up to 90% of the generated electric energy to the electric power system at a good price, the exploitation of heat, and the use of exhaust gases to provide carbon dioxide to plants in the greenhouse. GUASCOR's wide range of modules enables cogeneration patterns to meet the specific requirements of every greenhouse.
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| COGENERATION AT LANDFILLS |
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Years ago, biogas developing on landfill sites as a result of the organic matter's anaerobic fermentation was extracted by means of a suction system and burnt in flares.
Since then, the extraction process has been improved and biogas is now used, once treated, as fuel in GUASCOR cogeneration modules in order to produce electricity and heat.
GUASCOR has a great experience in this field and our machines are used in many countries.
Most of the electric energy is exported and heat can be used in nearby facilities. Installing biogas cogeneration modules on lanfill sites is very simple and operating them generates economic resources that contribute to defraying the considerable operating costs of controlled landfills.
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| COGENERATION AT SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS |
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Using GUASCOR cogeneration equipment in waste water treatment works is very simple and profitable. Result of the anaerobic fermentation of sludge during the tertiary phase of the sewage treatment process is a methane-rich gas (biogas).
Once adequately treated, this biogas is used as fuel in special-purpose GUASCOR cogeneration modules. These
produce electric energy for the works and hot water for the digesters. When the process demand for hot water is lower due to climatic conditions, the exhaust gases of the gensets can be used for sluge drying.
It is also frequent to use biogas-fuelled engines as direct drivers of agitators.
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| ADVANTAGES |
There are plenty of advantages offered by cogeneration both to its users and to the society as a whole.
Advantages for the user:
Reduction of energy costs, through savings of primary energy and the lower operating cost of a cogeneration plant.
Independence from the mains and reliability of supply, since the energy necessary for the industrial processes is self-generated.
Size of the cogeneration plant according to the process' energy requirements.
Advantages for the society:
Increased protection of the environment, as emissions are drastically reduced.
Improved efficiency of energy generation; electricity and heat generation, transport and distribution cost cut-down, since energy is
produced at the place at which it is consumed.
Greater balance between the demand and supply of energy, which results in the reduction and stability of the energy prices.
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