Cogeneration - Research Article from Environmental Encyclopedia

This encyclopedia article consists of approximately 3 pages of information about Cogeneration.

Cogeneration - Research Article from Environmental Encyclopedia

This encyclopedia article consists of approximately 3 pages of information about Cogeneration.
This section contains 699 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Cogeneration Encyclopedia Article

Cogeneration is the multiple use of energy from a single primary source. In burning coal, oil, natural gas, or biomass, it is possible to produce two usable forms of energy at once, such as heat and electricity. By harnessing heat or exhaust from boilers and furnaces, for example, cogeneration systems can utilize energy that is usually wasted and so operate at a higher efficiency.

The second law of thermodynamics states that in every energy conversion there is a loss of useful energy in the form of heat. It is estimated that nearly half of the energy used in the United States is wasted as heat. Energy conversion efficiencies vary in range but most systems fall below 50%: A gasoline internal combustion engine is 10–15% efficient, and a steam turbine operates at about 40% efficiency. A simple example of cogeneration would be the heater in an automobile, which utilizes the heat of...

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This section contains 699 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Cogeneration Encyclopedia Article
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Cogeneration from Gale. ©2005-2006 Thomson Gale, a part of the Thomson Corporation. All rights reserved.