Opportunity Evaluation for Gas Engine and Gas Turbine Cogeneration/Absorption Refrigeration Systems in Industrial Applications

摘要

Installed industrial refrigeration (not counting space conditioning) capacity in the U.S. is approximately 3,000,000 tons. Average electrical use for industrial refrigeration is about 1,000,000 kW. Agricultural industries account for 90 percent of the refrigeration use. Natural-gas fuel cogeneration can reduce refrigeration costs, as shown by an analysis of four candidate cogeneration systems utilizing gas engines and gas turbines. The economic benefits depend on the local price for electricity and gas, but for large areas of the U.S. the pre-tax rate-of-return on investment in engine and turbine cogeneration equipment would be in the range 20 percent to 40 percent. The economic attractiveness of gas-fired cogeneration would be substantially improved by reduced costs for engines and for ammonia absorption systems.