Gas-driven generator sets (gensets) / cogeneration plants
Gas-driven generator sets are used for generating electricity. However, in a cogeneration plant (CHP), the waste heat from the engine coolant and the exhaust gas is put to use in an external heating circuit via heat exchangers. In what are known as Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants, or cogeneration plants, the overall efficiency levels of generators are increased from approximately 30% - 44% for the production of electricity alone, to about 85% - 92% for the combined production of electricity and heat.
An absorber cooling system, which additionally generates cold / chilled water for air conditioning, can also be operated with the resulting hot water. This is called tri-generation. Application examples include office buildings, industrial plants, the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry, etc. In addition, exhaust gas permits the generation of steam, which is also used in the industries above.
Operation of gas-driven generator sets with natural gas, biogas, gas from purification plants or special gases
Gas-driven generators can be operated with natural gas, biogas, gas from purification plants or other special gases. Possible applications for natural gas are public buildings, residential buildings, industry and commerce. It is advisable to use a CHP in sewage treatment plants of a certain size and above, as it converts the sewage gas generated in the course of sewage treatment into electricity and heat. Both forms of energy are continuously required in wastewater treatment and the generation of sewage gas. This on-site production makes it possible to drastically reduce the operating costs of the treatment plant. By using a biogas plant, farms, organic waste disposal companies and landfills are able to exploit the biogas generated and produce electricity and heat with a cogeneration plant (at landfills, through a gas well), whereby the energy content of biogenic waste is converted into high-quality energies such as electricity and heat / cold as optimally as possible and in a CO2-neutral way. This spares an additional release of CO2 from fossil fuels in the conventional production of these kinds of energy.
Cogeneration plants (CHP) are power generators driven by a spark-ignited gas engine in which, in addition to the current generated, the waste heat of the engine coolant and of the exhaust are also used for heating or cooling purposes. Cogeneration plants are used for continuous / base load power and heat supply operating in parallel with a network, although they can also be used in emergency power mode, or in isolated operation.
Find out more about our cogeneration plants (CHP).