Traditionally, these natural gas driven systems are powered by reciprocating engines. While such engines have been successful in offering a first penetration of the electric market, new higher efficiency and lower emissions power trains with improved operational, capital, and maintenance characteristics are needed to further reduce costs and make gas-driven systems even more attractive. The units offer substantial improvements over existing systems. The prime mover can also be used to drive other systems such as refrigeration units, cogeneration units, and air-compressors.
Plans also exist for the marketing of the recuperator for larger commercial gas turbine engines.
However, the potential of such systems in industrial applications has not materialized to date due to the high cost of the recuperator, which tended to outweigh the benefit of lower operating costs. The new patented recuperator design, developed by NREC, offers for the first time a high efficiency recuperator at a manufacturing cost that makes the unit competitive both from a capital and operating point of view. The power turbine is connected directly to the refrigerant compressor. A hydraulic starter assures quick and efficient start-ups of the unit. An optional fuel booster allows for the efficient operation of the unit for inlet pressures in the range of 0 to 30 psig.