DuCool Increases Cogeneration Efficiency by Using Heat for Cooling
(March 26, 2009) -- DuCool has introduced dehumidification
and cooling solutions that dramatically improve the energy efficiency of
cogeneration systems by utilizing their waste heat to provide cooling and
dehumidification. DuCool’s systems combine desiccant dehumidification with
evaporative or geothermal cooling to upgrade co-generation systems to a
tri-generation system. This approach eliminates the need for conventional
mechanical cooling and reduces the energy required for cooling by up to 90%.
Conventional combustion power generation systems convert only
approximately 30% of consumed fuel into electricity. In centralized production
systems another 7% on average is lost as the electricity is distributed from the
power-station to consumers. Distributed cogeneration systems increase energy
efficiency to 80% by utilizing the waste heat released by the generation system
for space heating. Since the power is produced locally, there are no
transmission losses.
However, during a large part of the year, cooling rather than
heating is needed so the advantages of cogeneration are lost and efficiency
returns to the 30% level. DuCool's systems provide high efficiency all year
round by utilizing waste heat for cooling and dehumidification. The emissions
and carbon footprint attributed to the building is reduced by a roughly similar
amount. Cool water for the cooling process can be taken from any convenient
source such as a cooling tower, geothermal well, river, etc.
 |
DuCool
can retrofit existing cogeneration systems with dehumidification and cooling or
provide a complete tri-generation system including all components. In addition
to improving cogeneration systems, DuCool systems can utilize low grade
heat which can be found in abundance in many industrial manufacturing facilities
to generate energy efficient cooling and dehumidification. For example, the waste heat of conventional
chillers can be used to reduce operating costs of cooling systems by about
40%.
An
additional important benefit of DuCool’s systems is the improvement of indoor
air quality. The desiccant solution used in the DuCool systems disinfects and
cleans the air eliminating approximately 91% of micro-organisms and 80% of
airborne particles larger than 5 microns, including allergens such as pollen and
dust.
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DuCool’s desiccant
dehumidification and cooling systems provide year-round energy savings in any
climate. For example, in the warm climate of Florida, a micro turbine provides electrical
power to an ice skating arena while the DuCool desiccant system utilizes waste
heat to cool and dehumidify the rink year-round. In the temperate climate of
New York, an
internal combustion engine provides power and its waste heat is used by a DuCool
system for heating in the winter months and cooling in the summer. In a
Mediterranean climate of Greece, solar heat is utilized for
cooling year round at a 90% reduction in energy costs compared to a conventional
chiller.
DuCool’s systems can operate with much lower hot water
temperatures 120-185 F (50-85 C) than other cooling and dehumidification systems
such as desiccant wheels and absorption chillers. DuCool's desiccant dehumidification
units are more cost effective and require lower hot water temperatures than
absorption chillers. This is because DuCool’s open-cycle systems operate at
atmospheric pressure while absorption units are closed-cycle systems operating
at near-vacuum sub-atmospheric pressure conditions. The DuCool systems have a
unique process in which during the dehumidification process, air is internally
cooled and the air leaves the unit dry and at a comfortable temperature. As a
result, much lower temperatures are required for regeneration compared to
desiccant wheel dehumidification systems.
For
further information visit
www.ducool.com
May 1, 2009
DuCool Increases Cogeneration Efficiency by Using Heat for Cooling
(March 26, 2009) -- DuCool has introduced dehumidification
and cooling solutions that dramatically improve the energy efficiency of
cogeneration systems by utilizing their waste heat to provide cooling and
dehumidification. DuCool’s systems combine desiccant dehumidification with
evaporative or geothermal cooling to upgrade co-generation systems to a
tri-generation system. This approach eliminates the need for conventional
mechanical cooling and reduces the energy required for cooling by up to 90%.
Conventional combustion power generation systems convert only
approximately 30% of consumed fuel into electricity. In centralized production
systems another 7% on average is lost as the electricity is distributed from the
power-station to consumers. Distributed cogeneration systems increase energy
efficiency to 80% by utilizing the waste heat released by the generation system
for space heating. Since the power is produced locally, there are no
transmission losses.
However, during a large part of the year, cooling rather than
heating is needed so the advantages of cogeneration are lost and efficiency
returns to the 30% level. DuCool's systems provide high efficiency all year
round by utilizing waste heat for cooling and dehumidification. The emissions
and carbon footprint attributed to the building is reduced by a roughly similar
amount. Cool water for the cooling process can be taken from any convenient
source such as a cooling tower, geothermal well, river, etc.
|
DuCool
can retrofit existing cogeneration systems with dehumidification and cooling or
provide a complete tri-generation system including all components. In addition
to improving cogeneration systems, DuCool systems can utilize low grade
heat which can be found in abundance in many industrial manufacturing facilities
to generate energy efficient cooling and dehumidification. For example, the waste heat of conventional
chillers can be used to reduce operating costs of cooling systems by about
40%.
An
additional important benefit of DuCool’s systems is the improvement of indoor
air quality. The desiccant solution used in the DuCool systems disinfects and
cleans the air eliminating approximately 91% of micro-organisms and 80% of
airborne particles larger than 5 microns, including allergens such as pollen and
dust.
DuCool’s desiccant
dehumidification and cooling systems provide year-round energy savings in any
climate. For example, in the warm climate of Florida, a micro turbine provides electrical
power to an ice skating arena while the DuCool desiccant system utilizes waste
heat to cool and dehumidify the rink year-round. In the temperate climate of
New York, an
internal combustion engine provides power and its waste heat is used by a DuCool
system for heating in the winter months and cooling in the summer. In a
Mediterranean climate of Greece, solar heat is utilized for
cooling year round at a 90% reduction in energy costs compared to a conventional
chiller.
DuCool’s systems can operate with much lower hot water
temperatures 120-185 F (50-85 C) than other cooling and dehumidification systems
such as desiccant wheels and absorption chillers. DuCool's desiccant dehumidification
units are more cost effective and require lower hot water temperatures than
absorption chillers. This is because DuCool’s open-cycle systems operate at
atmospheric pressure while absorption units are closed-cycle systems operating
at near-vacuum sub-atmospheric pressure conditions. The DuCool systems have a
unique process in which during the dehumidification process, air is internally
cooled and the air leaves the unit dry and at a comfortable temperature. As a
result, much lower temperatures are required for regeneration compared to
desiccant wheel dehumidification systems.
For
further information visit
www.ducool.com