A Review Regarding Combined Heat and Power Production and Extensions: Thermodynamic Modelling and Environmental Impact

Abstract

This paper reports on a review on combined heat and power (CHP). A historical examination points out that combined heat and power was primarily used for hot heat valorizing (CHHP). The technological aspects evolved with this configuration first in industrial size. More recently, configuration with cold heat and power production (CCHP) appeared. Then, the immediate extension of this configuration led to trigeneration configuration, providing three useful effects: power and hot and cold heat. We suggest in the paper that progress regarding this last approach remains to be achieved towards the extension of trigeneration to polygeneration, whatever the form of energy and substance (water uses, for example). More generally, we consider that the goal, regarding the energy uses, is the integration of all needs in the design stage of the whole system (design optimization). Then, the evolution of the system in time should be considered, this being the purpose of control command of the optimized concern. This part remains to be developed in the future. Currently, the optimized design is well-started from the thermodynamic point of view with good criterion (efficiency), completed with economic and environmental objectives or constraints, as is reported in the review.