ABSTRACT
The term “cogeneration” as used in this chapter is deŽned as the combined production of electrical power* and useful thermal energy by the sequential use of a fuel or fuels. Each term in this deŽnition is important. Combined means that the production processes of the electric power and thermal energy are linked, and often are accomplished in aseries or parallel fashion. Electrical power is the electricity produced by an electrical generator, which is most often powered by aprime mover such as asteam turbine, gas turbine, or reciprocating engine. Thermal energy is that product of the process which provides heating or cooling. Forms of this thermal energy include hot exhaust gases, hot water, steam, and chilled water. Useful means that the energy is directed at fulŽlling an existing need for heating or cooling. Simply exhausting hot exhaust gases does not meet the deŽnition of useful thermal energy. In other words, cogeneration is the production of electrical power and the capture of coexisting thermal energy for useful purposes.
