Review of efficiencies of cogeneration units using internal combustion engines

ABSTRACT

The most frequently used technology in cogeneration units up to 10 MWe are internal combustion engines and the majority of the models are up to 500 kWe. There are dozens of reciprocating internal combustion engine–based cogeneration unit manufacturers and more than hundred suppliers in the market. In the article, data from supplier technical specifications of 583 units (34 manufacturers) is collected and analyzed. The authors proposed mathematical relations that show dependence of efficiencies on electric power that can be used for initial feasibility studies. Authors also have showed that value of 0.75 for power-to-heat ratio (proposed by EU Directive 2004/8/EC) does not always correspond to current market situation.

KEYWORDS:

• Cogeneration
• efficiencies
• reciprocating internal combustion engine
• power-to-heat ratio

CHP manufacturers’ technical specifications:

• Senertec: http://www.senertec.de/index.php?id=3&L=1 (accessed on: July 10, 2013)

• Buderus: http://www.buderus.be/?language=2&page_id=13033 (accessed on: July 10, 2013)

• Cogenco: http://www.cogenco.co.uk/product-range (accessed on: July 10, 2013)

• COMUNA metal: http://www.comuna-metall.de/produkte/blocker.php (accessed on: July 10, 2013)

• DEUTZ: http://www.deutz.de/html/default/home.en.html (accessed on: July 10, 2013)

• EC Power AS: http://www.ecpower.eu/english/the-xrgir/technical-data/xrgi-6r.html (accessed on: July 11, 2013)

• Edina: http://www.edinauk.com/page/85/Brochures.aspx (accessed on: July 11, 2013)

• Kuntschar+Schluter: http://www.wolf-heiztechnik.de/de/K-S/BHKW/Lieferprogramm.html (accessed on: July 11, 2013)

• Eneria CAT: http://www.eneria.be/producten/wkk/ (accessed on: July 11, 2013)

• FutureEnergy: http://shop.neue-energie-technik.net (accessed on: July 11, 2013)

• HAASE Energietechnik: http://www.haase.de/produkte/kraft-waerme-kopplung/blockheizkraftwerke/ (accessed on: July 12, 2013)

• HÖFLER: http://www.hoefler-bhkw.de/produkte.html (accessed on: July 12, 2013)

• BOSCH: http://www.bosch-kwk.de/de/loesungen/bhkw-systeme.html (accessed on: July 12, 2013)

• MEPHISTO: http://kwk.info/mephisto-bhkw/aktuelle-modelle#g16 (accessed on: July 12, 2013)

• KVA Diesel: http://www.kva-diesel.dk/microchpsystems.php (accessed on: July 12, 2013)

• KW Energie: http://www.kwenergie.de/blog/2012/03/gas-bhkw/ (accessed on: July 13, 2013)

• 2G CENERGY: http://www.2g-cenergy.com/products.html (accessed on: July 13, 2013)

• Motorgas: http://www.motorgas.cz/en/products/cogeneration-units/ (accessed on: July 13, 2013)

• Pro2: http://www.pro2.com/t/22_36.html (accessed on: July 13, 2013)

• SCHMITT ENERTEC: http://www.schmitt-enertec.com/index.html (accessed on: July 13, 2013)

• COGENON: http://www.cogenon.de/de/produkte/technologie (accessed on: July 14, 2013)

• TEDOM: http://cogeneration.tedom.com/cogeneration-units-configuration.html (accessed on: July 14, 2013)

• Temp Technology: http://www.temptech.ie/chp (accessed on: July 14, 2013)

• Valliant: http://www.vaillant.rs/Proizvodni_program/Mikrokogeneracija (accessed on: July 14, 2013)

• 2G Energietechnik: http://www.2-g.de (accessed on: July 14, 2013)

• Dreyer & Bosse: http://www.dreyer-bosse.de/de/produkte/aminselect.php (accessed on: July 15, 2013)

• SCHNELL: http://www.schnellmotor.de/sm/produkte/index.php (accessed on: July 15, 2013)

• SEVA Energie AG: http://www.seva.de/index.php/en/component/content/article/7 (accessed on: July 15, 2013)

• MWM: http://www.mwm.net/en/products/ (accessed on: July 15, 2013)

• GE Jenbacher: http://site.ge-energy.com/corporate/gas-engines-profile/index.htm (accessed on: July 15, 2013)

• SEF-Energietechnik: http://www.sef-bhkw.de/ (accessed on: July 16, 2013)

• GE Waukesha: http://www.dresserwaukesha.com/ (accessed on: July 16, 2013)

• INDOP Gorenje: http://www.gorenje-indop.si/sr/43396 (accessed on: July 16, 2013)

• SDMO Industries: http://www.sdmo.com/EN (accessed on: July 16, 2013)

Notes

¹ The characteristic of biogas-based models were given on basis of the biogas that contains 65% methane and 35% of non-combustible material (usually carbon dioxide).