Large Manufacturers
In North America, there are a number of
companies offering engines for power generation. The main ones are:
Caterpillar, Cummins, Detroit Diesel, Waukesha, Jenbacher, Mann and
Wartsila. Many of these companies started with transportation engines,
and have crossed into power generation as a way of extending their
product lines. In fact, far more Caterpillar
engines are used for power generation than to propel construction
vehicles!
A typical power plant installation
with an internal combustion engine looks like this:
1.
The fuel goes in.
2. The fuel is burned inside the piston. These tiny explosions push
the piston down.
3. The piston turns a shaft, which turns the generator.
4. The generator creates electricity.
5. Hot exhaust gases are vented out the exhaust stack.
6. A cooling radiator (usually outside the building) keeps the engine
block cool.
Now let’s take a look at
how some of the waste heat can be recovered to make this a cogen
installation.
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