The benefits of the Scuderi Split-Cycle Engine at treatment facilities are a “no brainer”
/Did you know that the Scuderi Split-Cycle Engine (SSC) technology with compressed air energy storage capability provides 30% more efficiency and that this is the only known engine that can both produce and store compressed air energy?
With large pumps, motors, drives, and other equipment operating 24 hours a day, wastewater and water treatment facilities can be among the largest individual energy users in a community (EPA, An Energy Management Guidebook for Wastewater and Water Utilities, January 2008).
MLM has worked with many treatment plant owners who truly want to incorporate energy efficiency and savings into their treatment processes. In many cases the initial high capital costs associated with the design and purchase of renewable and energy efficient alternatives stopped these projects cold. The purchase costs associated with the Scuderi engine are comparable to the purchase price of conventional engines and motors and will provide immediate savings on energy costs and enhance the long term sustainability of the operation.
The Scuderi engine is a split cycle design that divides the four strokes of a conventional combustion cycle over two paired cylinders, one intake/compression cylinder and one power/exhaust cylinder, connected by a crossover port. This configuration provides benefits to the combustion process which enhances efficiency. The SSC engine can also include compressed air energy storage (CAES) capability when an external air-tank is connected to the crossover port of the engine. The engine’s compressed air energy storage capability provides off-peak energy storage and on-peak energy usage, increasing total generation.
The SSC engine can run on any type of gas, including natural gas, biogas, CNG, and others. The benefits of the Scuderi Split-Cycle Technology are not limited to treatment facilities. Scuderi’s SSC technology provides immediate opportunities for waste to energy operations including anaerobic digesters at wastewater treatment facilities, landfill and composting facilities, and other projects that have goals of energy efficiency, power generation, and long term sustainability.
Unlike conventional generators which intake either air first, or air and fuel simultaneously, the SSC engine can inject low pressure fuel first during a non-firing revolution and only introduces high pressure air just before ignition. This is particularly advantageous for use with biogas fuel systems because the SSC engine can intake more low pressure biogas per revolution than a conventional engine.
MLM and the team love to talk about sustainability and are excited about adding Scuderi to our conversations.
Environmental Protection Agency
Scuderi Group, Inc.
www.ScuderiGroup.com