A Cooling, Heating, And Power For Buildings (Chp B) Instructional Module

Cooling, Heating, and Power for Buildings (CHP-B) is an important emphasis area for the U. S. Department of Energy (USDOE). By coupling local electricity generation (fuel cells, gas turbines, internal combustion engines) with thermally-activated components (absorption chillers, desiccants, heat recovery steam generators) system thermal efficiencies in excess of 80 percent are possible. This paper describes an instructional module that succinctly discusses CHP components. The module, which is designed for use in senior-level engineering courses, contains first-order descriptions of prime movers as well as thermally-regenerated components. The module contains references, web-site addresses, manufacturers’ information and web sites, pictures, a case study, example problems, and system schematics for CHP-B systems. The intent is that the CHP module is instructor ready and can be used to readily introduce CHP concepts in a variety of engineering courses. This instructional module provides engineering educators a quick, complete, but first order, way to incorporate CHP into engineering courses. Information for obtaining the module is provided.