Microturbine technology exemplifies an
emerging method of cogeneration, producing
both thermal and electric energy simultaneously to create energy from a single fuel
source.
It’s a simple concept: turn clean-burning
natural gas into cost-effective, reliable electricity, plus steam for production processes,
heat for water and building space, and even
heat to drive absorption chillers for seasonal
or process cooling.
"It's like getting two or three forms of energy
for the price of one," says Jay Kumar, general manager of Dresser-Rand's Microturbine
strategic business unit.
“Not to mention the environmental benefits,”
he adds. By reducing levels of nitrogen oxide,
and by providing electricity and heat with
the same fuel, cogeneration helps minimize
environmental impact. Increased fuel efficiency reduces pollutants, and every percentage point gain in efficiency proportionally
reduces carbon (greenhouse gas) emissions.
For clients who require electricity and thermal energy simultaneously, a cogeneration
system can meet their requirements with a
favorable return on investment. With microturbine-driven cogeneration, users can capture more than 70 percent of the energy in the
fuel they buy, contrasted to 30 to 35 percent in
standalone power production. Many owners
report paybacks on their investments in three
to five years, or even sooner.
During the past eight years, the U.S. government has offered incentives for many cogen-
Two (or Three)
for the Price of One
Forms of Energy
One might compare a microturbine to a
type of jet-airplane engine – both inject compressed gas into a high-pressure air stream.
But here the comparison ends, because
instead of generating thrust, a microturbine
generates heat and electricity.
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MT70 and MT250 Ingersoll Rand microturbines.
eration projects, about 60 percent of which
have involved microturbines.
By using flare gas to generate electricity and
reduce the harmful hydrocarbons produced by
flaring, microturbines offer producers some of
the cleanest combustion technology available to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and
eliminate potentially harmful flaring.
When selecting an on-site power producer,
it’s important to keep in mind that not all
are created equal. When compared with commercially available gas and diesel engine generator sets and other microturbines, Ingersoll
Rand microturbines clearly offer several
advantages: lower emissions, fuel flexibility,
reduced noise levels, greater reliability, longer
runs between service, reduced maintenance,
and longer operating life. And all of these
factors add up to lower life cycle costs.
Today, only Ingersoll Rand microturbines
offer a comprehensive, on-site electricitygenerating system with an integrated fuel
conditioning developed specially for associated-gas applications. This system converts
these associated gases into an acceptable fuel
that enables the microturbine to not only
generate continuous power, but also to reduce
energy costs and lower greenhouse emissions
significantly.
Dresser-Rand is a global distributor and service supplier of the Ingersoll Rand model
MT250 microturbine (rated at 250 kilowatts)
to the oil and gas market. With this product,
the company is well prepared to provide clients with cogeneration solutions to increase
their efficiency, reduce emissions of harmful
greenhouse gases, and generate electricity
from flare gas –all while lowering their total
life cycle costs. n
Generating Electricity from
Flare Gas
Considering alternatives to effectively reduce
emissions, the unique features of Ingersoll
Rand microturbines are a perfect fit for many
oil production operators facing tougher
environmental standards. Compared with a
typical utility-scale power plant generating
the same amount of electricity, the MT250
microturbine reduces emissions of nitrogen
oxide (a potent greenhouse gas) by more than
two tons a year.
MT250 series microturbine.
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