Cogeneration Project Overview: J. M. Huber Corporation, Borger, Texas

Abstract

The cogeneration of electricity by industrial plants can, if properly structured, benefit not only the plant owners but also the electric utilities which serve them. The technical and economic feasibility of such projects, however, has been shown to be very site specific, even for plants of similar size using the same technologies. This paper explores the background and development of J. M. Huber Corporation's 20,000 KW cogeneration facility at their Borger, Texas carbon black plant. The heart of the plant is a refurbished utility steam turbine generator and related auxiliaries. Full output of the generator will be sold to the electric utility. Key issues which affected the project's design and management decisions are reviewed as well as the approach taken to the electricity purchase rate negotiations and final contract. The plant's design is presented, and features which make this installation similar or dissimilar to other installations are discussed.