Do You Have a Packaged Boiler?: Modify it to Cogenerate… and Profit!

Abstract

ABSTRACT Competition from deregulation is driving utilities and consumers to seek out alternate means to reduce the cost of electricity. The utility industry is expected to shift generation away from the traditional central station philosophy to dispersed generation with the formerly wasted heat to be recovered and used for industrial steam or to heat commercial buildings.[1] Some experts suggest that the dispersed generation will take the form of cogeneration by locating thermal electric generators with heat recovery steam generators alongside the thermal host. Coincidentally, there are a large number of existing boilers that can serve as waste heat receivers if properly modified. This could result in substantial capital savings, further reducing the cost of the dispersed electrical generation. Repowering cold windbox industrial boilers complements and reinforces the dispersed generation philosophy. This article will compare the economic and technical advantages of repowering existing small industrial bo...