Capstone Turbine
Encyclopedia
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
based gas turbine
Gas turbine
A gas turbine, also called a combustion turbine, is a type of internal combustion engine. It has an upstream rotating compressor coupled to a downstream turbine, and a combustion chamber in-between....
manufacturer that specializes in microturbine power and heat cogeneration systems. Key to the Capstone design is its use of foil bearing
Foil bearing
Foil bearings, also known as foil-air bearings, are a type of air bearing. A shaft is supported by a compliant, spring-loaded foil journal lining. Once the shaft is spinning quickly enough, the working fluid pushes the foil away from the shaft so that there is no more contact...
s, which provides maintenance and fluid-free operation for the lifetime of the turbine and reduces the system to a single moving part. This also eliminates the need for any cooling or other secondary systems.
The company sells products for electrical power generation
Electrical generator
In electricity generation, an electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. A generator forces electric charge to flow through an external electrical circuit. It is analogous to a water pump, which causes water to flow...
, cogeneration
Combined Heat and Power
Combined Heat and Power may refer to:* Cogeneration* Combined Heat and Power Solar...
, biogas
Biogas
Biogas typically refers to a gas produced by the biological breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Organic waste such as dead plant and animal material, animal dung, and kitchen waste can be converted into a gaseous fuel called biogas...
-fueled renewable energy
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
, and hybrid vehicle
Hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles , which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.-Power:...
power. It has Microturbine offerings in the following sizes: 30 kW, 60 kW, 65 kW, and 200 kW. Higher output systems using multiple 200 kW turbines are also available. Capstone is a supplier of Microturbines to UTC Power
UTC Power
- About :UTC Power is a fuel cell company based in South Windsor, Connecticut. It is part of United Technologies Corporation and has been in business for over 50 years. The company has experience in all five major fuel cell technologies. The company specializes in fuel cells for buildings, buses ...
's PureComfort System product.
Capstone turbines have generated some interest as the range extender for hybrid cars. Their light weight, small size, and quick starting time make them ideal as "instant-on" backup power to recharge the main batteries. An example of a hybrid vehicle is the Capstone CTM-380, with a 30 kW (40 hp) gas turbine running on diesel, driving a generator that recharges Li-Poly batteries when necessary.
External links
- http://www.microturbine.com/_docs/CaseStudyRitzCarlton.pdfCase Study of Ritz Carlton in San Francisco using UTC PowerUTC Power- About :UTC Power is a fuel cell company based in South Windsor, Connecticut. It is part of United Technologies Corporation and has been in business for over 50 years. The company has experience in all five major fuel cell technologies. The company specializes in fuel cells for buildings, buses ...
's PureComfort System powered by Capstone Microturbines] - Company website
- FlexEnergy
- NASA's oil-free turbine research program
- UTC Power Official Site
- Capstone Turbine Official Site
- PureComfort solutions System Overview
- The PureCell M400 Power System Overview
- The PureCell Model 200 Power System Overview