Boosting CHP efficiency with gas-to-liquid technology
Hubert Tippkötter GmbH is an innovative designer and manufacturer of complete combined heat and power (CHP) systems, in operation since 1970. Based in Warendorf, Germany, the company engineers flexible solutions that generate anywhere from 30 to 2100kw of electrical power, and which are always fully adapted to match specific customer circumstances.
DATE 2023-11-28By simultaneously generating electricity and re-using the resulting heat, CHP, or cogeneration, is a highly efficient solution for a number of modern applications. Like all CHP manufacturers, Tippkötter continuously works to optimize their technology and get every possible extra percentage point of efficiency out of their systems. This has included considering new ways to take advantage of the heat transfer involved in cooling the modified turbo-charged engines that drive the systems.
However, this is easier said than done. CHP systems typically use air-air coolers, with ambient air cooling the engine’s compressed charge air to the required inlet temperature of 75°C. It has traditionally been difficult – if not outright impossible – to reuse the energy generated through this process due to the challenges of working with gas media. As a result, there have been limits to the potential efficiency that can be achieved with the system as a whole.
The optimal charge air cooler solution
Tippkötter has been able to overcome these challenges by equipping their CHP plants with Alfa Laval gas-to liquid plate heat exchangers. In contrast to traditional air-air cooler technology, Alfa Laval’s gas-to-liquid design makes it possible to use water as the cooling medium. This improves the overall energy balance by as much as 5% of the engine’s power.
GL model heat exchangers use cold water in a countercurrent flow arrangement to cool a relatively smaller amount of compressed charge air to the correct inlet temperature. An additional advantage of the GL design is that all connections are integrated in the unit, including two connections for gas, two for water and one for condensate. The result is an ultra-compact heat exchanger, which makes installation easier, quicker and more cost-effective for Tippkötter and allows them to provide a smaller system footprint for their customers.
The use of Alfa Laval GL gas-to-liquid heat exchangers has played a major role in Tippkötter’s ongoing development to drive forward the optimization of their CHP technology. Today, the company can now proudlyoffer their customers cogeneration efficiency of 91% or higher!
The Alfa Laval GL product line is an ultra-compact, high-efficiency solution engineered to meet the unique challenges of simultaneously working with gas and liquid media. A revolutionary new design handles very high temperatures with very low pressure drop.