Cogeneration with gas turbines for dryers and hot water boilers

This paper describes the main characteristics, mode of operation and incidents which occurred during the start-up of a cogeneration plant, in operation since June 1993, which supplies most of the energy required by moulded container dryers, as well as that required to produce hot water. The plant consists of two gas turbines linked to their corresponding electric generators. Exhaust gases from these turbines are distributed through a manifold which is common to the four dryers and to the hot water boiler. Net electric power generated by the plant is 2090 kW and the primary energy saving expected is $\text{23.6 × 10}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>6\; </mtext><mtext>th</mtext>}}$ (UCP) upper calorific power year⁻¹, this represents a percentage saving of 48.7%, thus largely meeting the requirements of a self-generator.