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GE Energy's Jenbacher gas engines have now operated for more
than one year at one of the world's first cogeneration power
plants to utilize waste gas generated by the production of
steel.
The power plant consists of 12 Jenbacher units with a total
power output of 20.4 megawatts (MW) and is located within
the Aceralia factory in Avilés, Spain.
Commissioning of GE's first commercial converter gas plant
was completed in September 2004. Through the end of September
2005, the 12 engines had operated at Aceralia's steel plant
for a total of 98,050 operating hours.
Based on its positive prior experience with Jenbacher gas
engines, GENESA (Generaciones Especiales I, S.L.), which is
part of the HC Energía Group (previously HidroCantábrico),
proposed the installation of Jenbacher engines to Aceralia,
as a solution for utilizing Aceralia's waste gas. Aceralia
is part of Arcelor S.A. of Luxembourg - the world's largest
steel producer, that was created by the merger of the companies
Aceralia, Arbed and Usinor.
By initially investing in the installation of a Jenbacher
test engine, GENESA made it possible to develop this plant,
which is one of GE Energy's largest gas engine projects in
Europe. GE Energy supplied 12 of its 1.7 megawatt, JMS 620
GS-S/N.LC cogeneration modules to Sidergás Energía - a company
founded by GENESA for the development of the project. The
plant utilizes LD gas - which is the waste gas produced in
the Linz Donawitz (LD)steel manufacturing process - to generate
electricity and steam. The electricity produced by the Jenbacher
gas engines is sold to the public power grid. The steam generated
from the exhaust gas is used in the steel production process
of Aceralia and meets a significant portion of Aceralia's
steam requirement.
Jenbacher gas engines were chosen, in part, due to their
ability to burn the toxic and residual LD gas both safely
and efficiently.Through the highly-efficient utilization of
this low-calorific value gas for power generation, other fossil
energy resources can be preserved. This project keeps the
plant's NOx emissions below 500 mg/Nm3
(reference: at 5% O2). Therefore, in
addition to the benefits of an independent power source, this
new class of power plants can provide significant environmental
benefits.
Apart from the engines, the Jenbacher team supplied the
nitrogen-scavenging system, relief valves, catalytic converter
and a range of service, including - commissioning, operator
training and maintenance for engines.
GE Energy's gas engine business has a long history in Spain
and Portugal, where approximately 500 of Jenbacher's 5,000-plus
engines are in operation. The business is a leader in the
use of special gases, such as residual gases or gases from
batteries used in coke production.
Jenbacher gas engines range in outputs of 0.25 to 3 MW and
are equipped with patented combustion systems, engine controls
and monitoring technology - allowing them to meet all relevant
international emission standards, while offering high levels
of efficiency, durability and reliability. GE's Jenbacher
gas engine operations are based in Jenbach, Austria.
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