Decentralized energy supply for medium-sized industrial applications by innovative power-heat-coldness-linkage
Objective of this project is the development and optimization of a cooling-system for refrigerating capacities up to 100 kW, based on a combination of power-heat-linkage and absorption technology. The system targets on providing coldness as well as electric power in an eco-sensitive and financially attractive way. This technology is nearly universally usable as in most industrial areas there is both a need of energy supply and coldness.
Due to the carbon emission problem as well as raising energy prices, high strain is applied on manufacturing branches, especially on those ones with extensive demands on energy. Aluminium- (à anodizing) and plastics (àinjection molding process) industries are representatives of industries which need energy, heat and coldness. Due to so far unsolved conduction problems, the decentralized energy supply will become more important in the medium term. The idea of the project is a combination of a diesel/gas engine combined with a generator and an absorption chiller (cold level -10°C, refrigerating capacity <100 kW) with computerised process control. Further tasks are the development of a modified use of heat of gas exhaust in order to realize temperatures on a range of 95°C to max. 120°C for the drift bolt, as well as the utilization of the excess heat from the power generation. Finally the entire system should be as adjustable as possible so that it can be used for many applications and it can be fitted to the required purpose with low effort.
Previous results
The objective of reaching a coldness-level of up to -10°C is just reached with containment with the current system. Reaching of the temperatures depends on the load. With a favourable load the current system achieves a maximum of -8°C. The desired cooling capacity of 50 to 100 kW has been achieved to some extent in lower power ranges, but not in continuous use. Using a low-temperature absorption unit, the desired expeller temperatures of 95°C up to 120°C max., become unnecessary. For a power of 50 kW the new facility requires drift bolt temperatures of only 85°C - 95°C, which is a vast improvement. These temperatures can be nearly reached. The revision of the current heat exchanger is necessary for this. The target COP (coefficient of performance) of 0.7 cannot be achieved. A COP of 0.4 had been realized.
Savings of fuel and this CO2 of 10% can be realized. The use of excess heat from power generation for heating and drying purposes can be realized by the use of heat exchangers, which include the warmth of the engine cooling water and the exhaust in the entire system. The system is modular so that it can be adapted to various applications.
