Improving Energy Efficiency of Industrial Processes through Integrated Cogeneration

The solutions and technological schemes of integrated industrial cogeneration proposed and analyzed in the paper are characterized by high overall energy efficiency, compared to separate energy generation. For both analyzed schemes the overall energy efficiency can be achieved due to high heat recuperation ratio. The implementation of the integrated cogeneration concept can lead to avoiding significant energy losses by a controlled cooling of the flue gases. The available energy potential can be then used for power generation needed for technological processes and/or for other purposes within the company. Thus, due to these measures there can be achieved an increase of the furnace efficiency up to 51 %, compared to the reference solution of 39 %. At the same time there can be achieved partial or total energy autonomy of the company, and in the case of surplus power, the electricity can be sold generating revenues.