EUBCE 2021 - Sergej WARKENTIN - Efficiency Increase of a Small-Scale CHP Plant Fueled with Synthesis Gas Originating from Thermochemical Recuperation

Efficiency Increase of a Small-Scale CHP Plant Fueled with Synthesis Gas Originating from Thermochemical Recuperation

Short Introductive summary

The project Heat Power Converter (HPC) aims to develop a retrofitting component for internal combustion engine based (ICE-based) combined heat and power (CHP) plants replacing the inlet and exhaust manifolds. The main idea of the project is the conversion of engine’s exhaust gas thermal energy into chemically bound energy. This is possible through thermochemical recuperation (TCR) that is based on the steam reforming of hydrocarbons. Before entering the engine, the conventional CHP fuel is reformed and a hydrogen- and carbon monoxide-rich synthesis gas is generated. This synthesis gas constitutes the engine fuel and has a higher heating value than the conventional fuel. The increase of the lower heating value (LHV) through TCR among multiple exhaust gas heat recovery increases the overall CHP system efficiency and enables a more flexible operation regarding the power to heat ratio. HPC in cooperation with the CHP is to be developed into an industrial product ready for series production. This innovation leads to a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by increasing the efficiency of CHP technology.

S. Warkentin, OWI Science for Fuels, Herzogenrath, GERMANY
J. Leuchter, OWI Science for Fuels, Herzogenrath, GERMANY
E. Pohl, OWI Science for Fuels, Herzogenrath, GERMANY
A. Andric, Groschopp, Viersen, GERMANY
H. Siegmund, MOVE, Feldkirchen-Westerham, GERMANY