High-quality CHO : definition, measurement, and regulation

Abstract

Papers presented to the 11th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, South Africa, 20-23 July 2015.

CHP (Combined Heat & Power) is a vested term referring to thermal power generation with heat recovery. The lack of clear terminology on CHP activities causes confusion and suboptimal regulation, what impairs investment decisions. An improved discourse on CHP is significant in addressing the issues. It starts at the basic definition of CHP itself. A proper definition is instrumental in identifying what the real merit of CHP is, also questioning whether high-quality CHP is a valid term. The proper yardstick of CHP performance is quantities of cogenerated electricity. In extraction-condensing steam turbines, being the most applied thermal power processes, the quantities are not directly observable. The scientific community failed to provide practical methods to assess the quantities. Basic engineering thermodynamics suffice to construct the needed methods, easy to apply and supporting investment in high-quality thermal power units and daily maximization of heat recovery. The epilogue questions the role thermodynamic machinery may play in future electric power generation.