Gas turbine cogeneration apparatus for the production of domestic heat

Abstract

An apparatus for the domestic cogeneration of heat and electrical energy utilizing an inverted Brayton cycle gas turbine, a combustion chamber, an electrical generator and a compressor. Combustion air is preheated in a heat exchanger by gaseous combustion gases or exhaust gases exiting from the turbine. The combustion air is supplied at substantially atmospheric pressure to the combustion chamber where fuel is burned. The cooled gaseous combustion gases exiting from the heat exchanger are then fed to the compressor where they are recompressed to atmospheric pressure, and are finally used to heat the working fluid of a domestic heating system before being exhausted to the atmosphere. The apparatus can also include an acoustically and thermally insulated housing, an electric air blower for start-up, an engine ignition device, a frequency converter which conditions the electric generator output for connection to the main supply and a control system which is cooled by the engine intake air and which detects thermal and electrical demand and adjusts the engine power accordingly.