Combined Heat and Power (CHP)

Minergy Neenah Process

Minergy Neenah Process - Click for large view

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems (also known as cogeneration) generate electricity (and/or mechanical energy) and thermal energy in a single, integrated system. This contrasts with the more typical practice where electricity is generated at a central power plant and on-site equipment is used to meet nonelectric energy requirements. CHP systems’ overall energy efficiency is typically greater than systems where the electricity and thermal energy were being provided separately.

Minergy’s vitrification technologies take CHP to another level by incorporating the recycling of high-volume wastes into the application. The high temperatures necessary to convert the waste into a glass aggregate product provides an ideal opportunity for thermal energy recovery. Vitrification systems can be configured to recover this thermal energy in a form that is most appropriate for the customer’s process requirements, including steam, thermal oil and hot gas.

A prime CHP example is the Minergy’s Fox Valley Glass Aggregate Plant (FVGAP) located in Neenah, Wis., U.S.A. FVGAP converted up to 1,300 tons/day of paper mill sludge into 6 mega watts of electricity and 300,000 pounds/hour of steam available for local paper mills. FVGAP used some of this steam production to pre-dry the paper mill sludge to increase the combustion and boiler efficiencies. The FVGAP has operated continuously since 1998. It was sold by Minergy in 2006.

Minergy, a previous member of U.S. EPA’s Combined Heat and Power Partnership can tailor project development, design and engineering to meet your specific application, while being environmentally conscious.