Title: Quantifying Combined Heat and Power (CHP) activity

Authors: Aviel Verbruggen

Addresses: University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium

Abstract: In CHP plants without heat rejection facilities power, output is complementary to the recovery of heat, and all activity is cogeneration. CHP plants with heat rejection facilities can operate a mix of cogeneration and condensing activities. Quantifying the energy flows of both activities properly requires knowledge of the design power-to-heat ratios of the CHP processes (steam and gas turbines, combustion engines). The ratios may be multiple, non-linear or extend into the virtual domain of the production possibility sets of the plants. Quantifying cogeneration in CCGT plants reveals a definition conflict but consistent solutions are available.

Keywords: combined heat and power; CHP; cogeneration; production possibility sets; joint production; power-to-heat ratio; CCGT; back-pressure; extraction condensing; heat rejection; steam turbines; gas turbines; combustion engines.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETP.2007.012569

International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy, 2007 Vol.5 No.1, pp.17 - 35

Published online: 23 Feb 2007 *

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