Microturbine generator system Hungary

What is a microturbine generator?

Microturbines are small electricity generators that burn gaseous and liquid fuels to create high-speed rotation that turns an electrical generator.

What is microturbine technology?

Today’s microturbine technology is the result of development work in small stationary and automotive gas turbines, auxiliary power equipment and turbochargers, much of which was pursued by the automotive industry beginning in the 1950s. Microturbines entered field testing around 1997 and began initial commercial service in 2000.

How efficient is a microturbine?

Microturbines can achieve overall efficiency levels of up to 80 percent in combined heat and power (CHP) applications and up to 90 percent in combined cooling, heat and power (CCHP) applications. Electric vehicles are clean and efficient, but limited in the distance they can travel between battery charges.

What is the difference between a gas turbine and a microturbine?

The size range for microturbines available and in development is from 30 to 400 kilowatts (kW), while conventional gas turbine sizes range from 500 kW to 350 megawatts (MW). Microturbines run at high speeds and, like larger gas turbines, can be used in power-only generation or in combined heat and power (CHP) systems.

How do microturbines work?

Microturbines operate on the same thermodynamic cycle, known as the Brayton cycle, as larger gas turbines. In this cycle, atmospheric air is compressed, heated, and then expanded, with the excess power produced by the expander (also called the turbine) over that consumed by the compressor used for power generation.

What are the components of a microturbine?

The basic components of a microturbine are the compressor, turbine generator, and recuperator. The heart of the microturbine is the compressor-turbine package, which is commonly mounted on a single shaft along with the electric generator. Two bearings support the single shaft.