This paper documents an analytical study of a microturbine- based CHP system for a small commercial building. The flow exiting the microturbine turbine (exhaust) either enters the hot side of the microturbine recuperator or is allowed to bypass this recuperator for variable recuperation. While bypassing reduces the microturbine thermal efficiency, there is better matching of the CHP thermal and electrical outputs to the building thermal and electrical loads, respectively. Absorption chilling, hot water space heating, and domestic hot water heating are employed. The overall CHP system yearly performance is investigated for various CHP and microturbine operating modes.

Units: Dual