21 Describe a Microturbine and explain how it can used to ha

21) Describe a Microturbine and explain how it can used to harvest energy?

Solution

Microturbines are the latest technology for generating electricity using different types of fuels such as natural gas etc. The output of microturbine is between 25 kW to 500 kW.

The basic principle of working of the micro turbine is that the compressor as well as the electric generator is mounted on the same power shaft as that of the turbine. Because of this the compressor and the generator also rotate with the turbine. The generator rotates with the same speed as that of the turbine and generates the electricity. The electricity is first given to the power conditioning devices and then it is supplied to the required areas. The combustor is supplied with the fuel in the gaseous form by the gas compressor. Also fresh and compressed air is supplied to the combustor by the compressor through the recuprator. Here the recuprator plays an important role of heat exchanger. It absorbs the heat from the hot gases coming from the turbine. Then it gives this heat to the compressed air coming from the compressor. Thus the air supplied to the combustor is hot and compressed. This helps to increase the overall efficiency of the cycle.