Using Microturbines on Waste Gas

Abstract

Microturbines have been demonstrated to be reasonably well
suited to run on waste or bio-gas. The main reason is that waste gas is
generally free fuel and therefore the economic value is greatly increased.
Microturbines generally operate in the 20% to 25% electric efficiency
range. With free fuel the “cost to generate” is zero, excluding the cost for
equipment and maintenance. Two (2) Honeywell Power Systems
Parallon 75® microturbines* were installed a waste processing facility in
Philadelphia, PA. The major benefit to installing the microturbines was
the avoided costs in environmental permitting, controls, monitoring and
reporting. This article is a summary of the project activities and results
of the project.
*EDITOR’S NOTE: Since this article was written, Honeywell has stopped manufacturing the Parallon 75®. However, the novel use of microturbines described
here by Mr. Dowiak points out a proven, valuable new application of this versatile power source.