Trigeneration/CCHPTrigeneration, also referred to as combined cooling, heat, and power (CCHP), involves utilizing a portion of the heat generated by a cogeneration plant to produce chilled water for air conditioning or refrigeration purposes. This is achieved by connecting an absorption chiller to the combined heat and power (CHP) setup. In the case of quadgeneration, this process is elevated with the inclusion of systems for extracting purified carbon dioxide from the engine exhaust. In contrast, combined cooling and power (CCP) solely focuses on the use of electricity and cooling. Benefits of Trigeneration There are a number of benefits to trigeneration including:
A variety of different fuels can be used to facilitate cogeneration. In gas engine applications CCHP equipment is typically applied to:
Trigeneration systems provide energy in three distinct forms: electricity, heat, and chilled water. Absorption chillers present an economically and environmentally friendly substitute for traditional refrigeration methods. When integrating efficient, low-emission power generation equipment with absorption chillers, it enables peak fuel efficiency, eradication of detrimental refrigerants, and curtailed overall air emissions. Various configurations of CHP units exist that enable the derivation of refrigeration benefits. These include:
Integrating a CHP or cogeneration facility with an absorption refrigeration system permits the utilization of surplus seasonal heat for cooling purposes. The warm water extracted from the cooling circuit within the plant functions as the driving force for the absorption chiller. Additionally, the high-temperature exhaust gas produced by the gas engine can serve as an energy reservoir for steam generation, subsequently powering an exceptionally efficient double-effect steam chiller. As a result of this approach, up to 80% of the thermal output generated by the cogeneration plant can be transformed into chilled water. This strategy not only enhances year-round capacity utilization but also substantially elevates the overall efficiency of the cogeneration plant. Advantages Versus Conventional Refrigeration Absorption-based refrigeration technology represents a well-established and cost-effective solution for achieving reduced-emission air conditioning systems.
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