How the drive motor and generator work
The microturbine is a combustion machine consisting of a compressor, a combustion chamber, a turbine wheel, a generator and a recuperator. The rotating components are mounted on a shaft with an air bearing. The rated speed is 60,000 revolutions per minute. The digital power electronics of the microturbine control its operation and all subsystems. They convert the variable voltage and frequency of the generator into a d.c. voltage and then an alternating current with a constant voltage of 400 V and a frequency of 50 Hz at the output.
The combustion gas is directed into the combustion chamber. The combustion air is drawn in via a radial compressor and passes through the generator into the turbine. In order to drive the microturbine, the combustion air is first preheated with the waste heat of the generator. This means that at the same time, the generator is cooled with the intake air. The air in the radial compressor is then compressed to 3.8 bar above atmospheric pressure. It heats up to around 200°C. It is then heated in the recuperator to 500°C by the exhaust gases and then flows into the combustion chamber.
When the microturbine is started up, the generator first acts as an electric motor. This motor operation is switched to generator mode after ignition and when the turbine wheel gets up to speed. The combustion gas burns in the combustion chamber with a seven- or eightfold excess of air. The combustion chamber temperature is 800°C lower than that of a gas motor, which reduces or even eliminates the formation of nitrous oxides. The excess air ensures that the methane is completely burnt, thus preventing the formation of carbon dioxide and formaldehyde in the exhaust gas. The system thus not only complies with the Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (TA Luft) without additional treatment, but the emissions levels are many times lower.
June 7- 11, 2010 4th Capstone European C65 ASP Training, Schmalkalden
From 07.06. - 11.6.2010 Capstone will held the fourth Authorized Service Provider Training (ASP) in Schmalkalden, Germany.
Also this year the European ASP Capstone Training is organized by Greenvironment. Service technicians from all over Europe can register by the following e-mail address training@capstoneturbine.com.
After passing the exam on the last day of training, participants will receive their Capstone ASP certificate. Thus they are among the specially-trained technicians of the innovative and sustainable microturbine technology.
