Combined Micro-Systems - Design for Micro-Combined Cooling, Heating and Power Systems - page 59

Combined Micro-Systems

Nicolae Badea

Abstract This chapter presents the technologies for achieving Combined Heat and
Power (CHP) and micro-Combined Cooling Heat and Power (mCCHP) micro-
generation systems. Section 1 presents based on the relevant data from literature the
main primary thermal motors used in CHP micro systems. A comparative analysis
of cogeneration technologies based on performance indicators is presented in
Sect. 2 . Section 3 describes the mCCHP systems from the points of view of
architectural achievement and operation modes in order to satisfy the residential
consumers

' energy needs.

1 The Micro-CHP Technologies

CHP technologies refer to the energy conversion, recuperation, and management in
view of obtaining heat and power from burning a fuel. The term CHP (Cooling,
Heating, and Power) describes all electrical power generation systems that utilize
recoverable waste heat for space heating, cooling, and domestic hot water purposes
(Fig. 1 ). The term CHP describes all electrical power generation systems that utilize
recoverable waste heat for space heating, cooling, and domestic hot water purposes.
Micro-CHP encompasses all systems in the range of 15 35 kW of electrical pro-

duction or less. These systems range from single family homes to small apartment
complexes to small of

-

ce buildings. In a typical micro-CHP system, electricity is
generated on-site from the combustion of a fuel source in an electrical generation set
(prime mover and generator). This combustion produces recoverable heat in the form
of heated engine coolant and high temperature exhaust. The use of the recoverable
thermal energy for space heating and cooling purposes is the driving factor behind
the increased overall energy usage from conventional power generation systems.
Cogeneration system [ 1 ] consists of four basic elements: a prime mover (engine), an
electricity generator, a heat recovery system and a control system. In the systems
based on these technologies, primary engines play an extremely important role; they