ADVANCED GAS-ENGINE COGENERATION TECHNOLOGY FOR SPECIAL APPLICATIONS

In recent years gas Otto-cycle engines have become common for various applications in the field of power and heat generation. Gas engines in gen-sets and cogeneration plants can be found in industrial sites, oi l and gas field application, hospitals, public communities, etc., main ly in the U.S., Japan, and Europe, and with an increasing potential in the upcoming areas in the far east. Gas engines are chosen sometimes even to replace diesel engines, because of their clean exhaust emissio n characteristics and the ample availability of natural gas in the wor ld. The Austrian Jenbacher Energie Systeme AG has been producing gas e ngines in the range of 300 to 1600 kW since 1960. The product program covers state-of-the-art natural gas engines as well as advanced applic ations for a wide range of alternative gas fuels with emission levels comparable to Low Emission (LEV) and Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards. In recent times the demand for special cogeneration applic ations is rising. For example, a turnkey cogeneration power plant for a total 14.4 MW electric power and heat output consisting of four JMS6 16-GSNLC/B spark-fired gas engines specially tuned for high altitude o peration has been delivered to the well-known European ski resort of S estriere. Sestriere is situated in the Italian Alps at an altitude of more than 2000 m (approx. 6700 ft) above sea level. The engines featur e a turbocharging system tuned to an ambient air pressure of only 80 k Pa to provide an output and efficiency of each 1.6 MW and up to 40 per cent @ 1500 rpm, respectively. The ever-increasing demand for lower po llutant emissions in the U.S. and some European countries initiates de velopments in new exhaust aftertreatment technologies. Thermal reactor and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems are used to reduce ta ilpipe CO and NO, emissions of engines. Both SCR and thermal reactor t echnology will shift the engine tuning to achieve maximum efficiency a nd power output. Development results are presented, featuring the ultr a low emission potential of biogas and natural gas engines with exhaus t aftertreatment.