Cogeneration systems in material drying applications

Abstract

The potential exists to offset fuel purchases associated with material drying, as well as electric energy purchases, with the installation of a combustion turbine generator for cogeneration at cement plants, and other plants where material drying in kilns or furnaces is performed. Cogeneration, also referred to as combined heat and power, is the simultaneous generation of two forms of useful energy from one energy/fuel source. A cogeneration concept has been considered due to the coincident electric power and thermal loads present at cement manufacturing operations. For this application, a natural gas fuel source would be used to generate both electric energy and heat in the form of turbine exhaust gases. The purpose of this document is to advise cement manufacturing facilities of the potential of cogeneration, and present a concept of how cogeneration could be implemented. This document also defines the pertinent economic drivers and determine how project feasibility is affected. Major cogeneration plant equipment and systems are described. Feasibility for a test case, which considers installation of a nominal 13 MW gas turbine, is presented.