Gas Engine Emissions
Gas engines form the basis for a wide range of CHP packages available from suppliers. The engines are manufactured in Europe and in the United States for supply to a global market, and most are capable of meeting the tight emissions standards set in many European countries. The following table summarises the typical emissions from gas engines.
Typical emissions from gas engines | ||||
Carbon Dioxide (g/kWh) | Oxides of Nitrogen (g/kWh) | Carbon Monoxide (g/kWh) | Sulphur Dioxide (g/kWh) | |
| Firing on natural gas | 600-700 | 2-10 | 1-2 | Nil |
For most gas engines, oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide emissions are influenced by how the engine is built and operated, and, for many engines, it is possible to make adjustments that will affect emissions levels. In particular, oxides of nitrogen levels can be increased or decreased by a factor of three or more. However, adjustments made to reduce the level of one emission often result in an increase in the level of another. For example, changing an engine set-up to reduce oxides of nitrogen emissions often results in increases in carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons: it also reduces engine efficiency. The engines used in CHP packages in the UK tend to be set up to maximise the efficiency of electricity generation, rather than to minimise emissions.
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