Alternatives to natural gas fed Capstone Microturbines

[Billgas]

The Capstone product line appears stable and effective. The initial capital cost can be hard to swallow.

What are alternative technologies and their manufacturers of lower kW (50 to 150kW) three phase power sources are on the market?

The need is for grid isolated systems.

Thanks!

 

[MagicSmoker]

At the risk of pointing out the obvious... how about a regular internal combustion engine genset, such as these from Cat.

 

[Billgas]

I have made inquiries to other manufacturers but I missed Cat...

 

[rmw]

Do you want to mention who you have inquired of so we might notice others you might have missed.

rmw

 

[Billgas]

Cummins
Baldor
Generac
Detroit Diesel
MTU
Atlas Copco
GE
Coleman

 

[Billgas]

The equipment has to be fueled by natural gas, be prime power and be EPA compliannt.

 

[cranky108]

I would suggest fuel cells, but they have problems with life and fowling.

The options depend on the application and size. Several ethonol plants use steam turbens, but that is because they use steam in there processes.
Many smaller cities use large diesels converted to run on natural gas. Even fewer use GT's.

 

[Strong]

Here is a new turbine technology with low emissions:

http://www.icrtec.com

They may not have a machine ready for installation, but it may be worthwhile taking a close look at depending on your needs.

Walt

 

[Billgas]

Anyone have experience with Arrow Engine Generator Sets?

 

[waross]

My experience running a home for a few months off the grid demonstrated that the greatest cost was keeping the set running when there was no or very little load. I was using a 6 kW set with a three cylinder diesel engine. I loaded up during meal preparation times and a little in the evening. During the night the furnace may cut in a few times, but the set was basically running just in case the furnace wanted to start.
You may want to check the fuel consumption at no load and at very low loads and factor that into your cost projections.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[catserveng]

If you're talking about the Arrow Company out of Tulsa OK, they make pretty rugged stuff, seen it around oil and gas sites for years, mostly pump unit drive, small gathering operations and other support sites like reinjection facilities and such. Tends be older design, and efficiency not great as I remember, but very durable and the packages I've seen were well put together. The seemed to tolerate abuse and running at low loads better than the CAT packages we tried to compete with them with (when I was in the yellow side of the business full time).

Here is the website of the Arrow Company I know about,

http://www.arrowengine.com/en/

In Brasil and Columbia several years ago ran into a large number of Chinese copies also called Arrow, real junk in my opinion.

Hope that helps, Mike L.