Chapter 6

Combined Heat and Power

Abstract

All combustion power plants operate inefficiently, with much of the fuel energy going to waste as heat. This heat can be exploited in a variety of ways, raising the overall efficiency of the power plant. Heat is used for district heating in some US and European cities but this has not proved widely popular. Some industries can also make use of steam for their processes. Wood and paper processing factories will often have their own power plant that supplies both heat and electricity. Combined heat and power plants are most effective when both electricity and heat are supplied to the same customers. Many types of power generation plant can be used for combined heat and power but coal-fired boilers, gas ...

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