June 27, 2013: GE, PHG Energy Collaborate on Heat-to-Power Project
Waste Wood Chips or Other Biomass Used to Generate Electricity
The Clean Cycle heat-to-power generator, manufactured by GE Power & Water, is used to convert waste heat into electricity. The new system PHG Energy (PHGE) developed starts with gasification of waste wood chips or other biomass to provide a clean-burning producer gas. That fuel is then combusted in a heating unit which supplies the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) with the thermal source it needs to operate efficiently, producing enough electricity to supply approximately 50 homes.
“This system integrates three proven technologies: GE’s heat-to-power generator, PHG Energy’s gasifier, and a standard heat exchanger,” said Tom Stanzione, PHG Energy president. “The project is simple and elegant in its straightforward design, capable of operating on multiple and varied waste streams, and offers operating costs far below existing waste-to-energy generation systems in the marketplace.”
“Innovation such as this, involving our equipment, is exciting and opens doors to many applications,” said Brad Garner, president of GE’s Heat Recovery Solutions Division. “Our company is constantly seeking new technology to add to our array of distributed power systems. This is an area of waste utilization that offers tremendous potential, and we believe also can help our customers meet today’s pressing environmental challenges and energy demands.”
The combined GE and PHG Energy project is being conducted in Gleason, Tenn., at a facility owned by Boral Brick Corp. Six industrial-grade PHG Energy biomass fueled gasifiers, which were used to offset natural gas consumption in kiln firing, are currently being tasked for research and development by PHG Energy until the plant re-opens with recovery of the housing industry.
Electricity produced with GE’s heat-to-power generator unit is added to the grid through an agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Configuring such a system commercially is currently underway in Covington, Tenn., where the city has engaged PHG Energy to build a waste-to-energy facility using both wood waste and sewage sludge as its fuel sources. The new plant is expected to not only provide electric power but also save the city hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in disposal costs and landfill fees. From a sustainability standpoint, the new system will not only divert material from a landfill, it also will eliminate the release of more than 450 tons of carbon into the air each year.
Stanzione also pointed out that PHG Energy is capable of providing the same technology in larger scale. He projected the next step as commercializing a generation plant of between 1 and 5 megawatts utilizing a recently completed and tested PHG Energy gasifier that produces eight times the output of the current models.
Looking for quick answers on air conditioning, heating and refrigeration topics? Try Ask ACHR NEWS, our new smart AI search tool. Ask ACHR NEWS
For more information about PHG Energy, visit www.phgenergy.com. For more information about GE Power & Water, visit www.ge-energy.com/about/power_water.jsp.
Publication date: 6/24/2013
Want more HVAC industry news and information? Join The NEWS on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn today!
Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!
