Cogeneration Technology Alternatives Study (CTAS). Volume 1. Summary. [Using coal or coal-derived fuels

Abstract

CTAS compared and evaluated various advanced energy conversion systems that can use coal or coal-derived fuels for industrial cogeneration applications. The study was sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE). Project management of the overall effort was delegated to NASA's Lewis Research Center. Most of the data were developed under contracts with two industrial teams led by the General Electric Co. and the United Technologies Corp. In addition to study management, Lewis also performed in-house analyses of the advanced systems. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory supported Lewis in selected areas. The principal aim of the study was to provide information needed by DOE to establish research and development (R and D) funding priorities for advanced-technology systems that could significantly advance the use of coal or coal-derived fuels in industrial cogeneration. Steam turbines, diesel engines, open-cycle gas turbines, combined cycles, closed-cycle gas turbines, Stirling engines, phosphoric acid fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, and thermionics were studied with technology advancements appropriate for the 1985 to 2000 time period. The various advanced systems were compared and evaluated for a wide diversity of representative industrial plants on the basis of fuel energy savings, annual energy cost savings, emissions savings, and rate of return on investment (ROI) as compared with purchasing electricity from a utility and providing process heat with an on-site boiler. Also included in the comparisons and evaluations were results extrapolated to the national level.This report summarizes the results of the CTAS effort, including the contractors' and Lewis in-house results.