Simple CHP illustration
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(CHP)
CHP (combined Heat and Power) or Co-Gen is a dual or even triple (Tri-Gen) use application of a single fuel source. As an example, a university may consume natural gas or biogas to produce its own electricity; (using only 25% to 40% of that fuel’s available energy) the heat/exhaust from the generators (where 60% to 75% of the available energy still exists) is captured and redirected to the building(s) heating systems or possibly even to power a second steam generator. Common uses for cogenerated heat include space heating of buildings, animal housing facilities, greenhouse heating, or for industrial process heat such as dryers or kilns. A greenhouse facility may scrub the spent exhaust and use the purified carbon dioxide as a fertilizer for their plants thus reducing their fertilizer costs and qualifying as a Tri-Gen facility. |
