Cogeneration Concepts

There are two basic kinds of cogeneration (or in-plant power generation systems), namely, topping and bottoming cycles, distinguished on the basis of whether electrical or thermal energy is generated first. In a topping cycle, fuel is burned to generate high-temperature heat that is utilized in a turbine to produce electrical or mechanical power. After passing via the turbine, the refuse heat is then employed in industrial applications as procedure heat. On the other hand, in a bottoming cycle system, fuel is burned primarily to generate process heat, with the refuse heat used to produce either electrical or mechanical power.