An experimental study of the effect of ambient temperature on CHP gas engine performance in hot and dry climate

In the present research, the effect of ambient temperature on a distributed generation (D.G.) gas engine generator performance in hot and dry climate of Yazd province is studied. The gas engine is an internal combustion engine which is coupled with a 1 MW generator and engine cooling system is performed by a fan cooler. Ambient conditions such as altitude above the sea level, temperature and humidity are strongly effective on the gas engine performance and as a result affect the system electrical power output. In this paper, the effect of changes in ambient temperature on gas engine performance and heat and electricity generation in summer and winter weather conditions is studied. Results show that in summer the ambient temperature highly affects the system performance such that, in the ambient temperatures higher than 40 ºC, the electrical power output decreases approximately 12% for every 5℃ increase in ambient temperature. In winter and ambient temperatures lower than 15℃, the effect of ambient temperature on the system output is less significant than summer season. In combined heat and power (CHP) cases, these changes are effective on generated heat rate. According to results, in economic and technical evaluation of these systems the effect of ambient temperature on power and heat generation must be considered and backup must be provided if needed.