No abstract

The paper deals with a simulation model, developed in Matlab Simulink®, of a small-scale Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant based on a recuperated micro gas turbine (mGT). A minimum data set, mainly obtainable from datasheets, was defined, that allows the model to simulate different mGT plants in the small-scale range with a good accuracy. The model implements the mass, energy and momentum equations of the main components of the power plant. A double control system has also been developed, with the aim of maintaining the rotational speed of the turbine /compressor assembly at the nominal fixed value, and at limiting the Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) below the limit value. The model has been validated by means of experimental data obtained from a commercial mGT (100 kWel, 170 kWth), installed at the Politecnico di Torino, whose energetic characterization has been performed both at rated and at partial load conditions. The layout and the characteristics of the measurement system are also described in the paper.

No abstract

In a trigeneration plant, the thermal energy recovered from the prime mover is exploited to produce a cooling effect. Although this possibility allows the working hours of the plant to be extended over the heating period, providing summer air conditioning through thermally activated technologies, it is rather difficult to find experimental data on trigeneration plant operation in the literature, and information on the performance characteristics at off-design conditions is rather limited. The paper has the aim of illustrating the experimental data of a real trigeneration system installed at the Politecnico di Torino (Turin, Italy). The system is composed of a natural gas 100 kWel microturbine coupled to a liquid desiccant system. The data are presented for both cogeneration and trigeneration configurations, and for full and partial load operations. An energetic and economic performance assessment, at rated power operation, is presented and compared with the partial load operation strategy. The primary energy savings are calculated through a widely accepted methodology, proposed by the European Union, and through another methodology, reported in literature, which, according to the Authors, seems more suitable to describe the energetic performances of trigeneration plants.