Why Cogen

In a typical application, a cogeneration system consists of an engine or combustion turbine driving an electric generator.

The cogeneration process of converting fuel into electricity produces considerable amounts of heat. Heat exchangers capture and make use of the waste heat from the engine and exhaust gases by creating steam and/or hot water. This heat is then routed to your facility’s hydronic heat distribution system.

The electricity created is tied into your main switchgear and operates in parallel with your local utility, reducing your facility’s electrical load on the local grid.

Who needs it?

Cogeneration is not only cost-effective but highly reliable — an ideal solution for facilities requiring a constant source of heat, such as hospitals, healthcare complexes, colleges and universities, airports, manufacturers, and others.

Cogeneration Process

1. The cogeneration unit receives cold water from your facility’s heating system.
2. The cold water effectively cools the engine lubricant needed to keep the engine running properly. It is then fed to the engine jacket and up to the exhaust gas heat exchanger.
3. Fuel is fed into the engine to power the cogeneration system. Since the fuel is used for onsite generation, it is purchased from the utility at a reduced rate.
4. Fuel is used to power the engine, turning the generator shaft, thus creating electricity.
5. To reduce emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and total hydrocarbons (THC), hot exhaust from the engine is directed through the catalytic converter
6. The cleaned exhaust gas is sent into the heat recovery/heat exchanger, where the cold building water is heated and reduces the air exhaust temperature.
7. To meet the heat load of the facility, hot water from the exhaust gas heat exchanger is combined with boiler-generated hot water and sent through the facility’s hydronic heating system. The cogeneration unit is expected to produce enough hot water to meet most of the facility’s heating needs.