Comparative studies on micro cogeneration, micro cogeneration with thermal energy storage and micro trigeneration with thermal energy storage system using same power plant

Abstract

Present work deals with the three modes of power generation i.e. cogeneration (or combined heating and power), cogeneration with thermal energy storage and trigeneration with thermal energy storage and their comparison. Stationary compression ignition engine of 4.4 kW was used for power generation and all three modes were experimentally investigated. Cogeneration was achieved by coupling the engine with concentric tube or double pipe type heat exchanger. For cogeneration with thermal energy storage mode above setup was coupled with an erythritol filled shell & tube type heat exchanger and trigeneration with thermal energy storage mode was achieved by the addition of vapour absorption refrigeration system. Experiments were carried out for all three modes and comparative results are reported in this paper. Maximum useful energy output for trigeneration with thermal energy was 7.27 kW at an engine load of 4.4 kW. Reduction in emissions of CO2 in kg/kWh in case of trigeneration with thermal energy storage was 54.92% at a load of 4.4 kW as compared to single generation.