Experimental Underperformance Detection of a Fixed-Speed Diesel–Electric Generator Based on Exhaust Gas Emissions

Low load is one of the most challenging combustion stages for a fixed-speed diesel electric generator. Due to incomplete combustion during this phase, a significant proportion of contaminants form inside the cylinder. This can lead to numerous chemical and mechanical harms to the diesel engine, resulting in friction, efficiency reduction, increased fuel consumption, and prematurely ending the generator’s life. These phenomena are qualified as underperformance, possibly due to a misfire and/or a low-efficiency value (air fuel–fuel ratio). Therefore, detecting and preventing underperformance and reducing its extended operation is crucial. This paper deals with the performance and emission analysis of a multicylinder fixed-speed diesel engine driving an electric generator (300 kW) fueled with ultra-low sulfur diesel (≤15 mg/kg) to provide energy in an isolated Canadian community. The tests were carried out according to ISO 3046-1:2002 standard in a remote site to identify clues that can prevent prolonged operation in underperformance. Among the tests conducted, emissions such as sulfur (S), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and exhaust gas temperature are considered the best indices for detecting the underperformance of a fixed-speed diesel–electric generator under very-low and low load (0–30%) with the following registered values: 18 ppm for S, 4% for CO2, 150 ppm for NOx, and 210 °C for the temperature.

[1]  Carlos Pereyra-Mariñez,et al.  Energy Supply Systems Predicting Model for the Integration of Long-Term Energy Planning Variables with Sustainable Livelihoods Approach in Remote Communities , 2023, Energies.

[2]  Jianhui Bao,et al.  Comparative experimental study on macroscopic spray characteristics of various oxygenated diesel fuels , 2023, Energy Science & Engineering.

[3]  M. Issa,et al.  Ship Energy Efficiency and Maritime Sector Initiatives to Reduce Carbon Emissions , 2022, Energies.

[4]  C. Ji,et al.  Combined experimental-numerical analysis of hydrogen as a combustion enhancer applied to wankel engine , 2022, Energy.

[5]  Chunting Zhou,et al.  Implementation of various bowl designs in an HPDI natural gas engine focused on performance and pollutant emissions. , 2022, Chemosphere.

[6]  M. Negnevitsky,et al.  Remote areas and islands power generation: A review on diesel engine performance and emission improvement techniques , 2022, Energy Conversion and Management.

[7]  I. Mansir,et al.  A new coupled energy system consisting of fuel cell, solar thermal collector, and organic Rankine cycle; Generation and storing of electrical energy , 2022, Sustainable Cities and Society.

[8]  C. Yuan,et al.  A review of online condition monitoring and maintenance strategy for cylinder liner-piston rings of diesel engines , 2022, Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing.

[9]  M. Issa,et al.  Energy Recovering Using Regenerative Braking in Diesel–Electric Passenger Trains: Economical and Technical Analysis of Fuel Savings and GHG Emission Reductions , 2021, Energies.

[10]  K. Srinivasan,et al.  Impact of low reactivity fuel type on low load combustion, emissions, and cyclic variations of diesel-ignited dual fuel combustion , 2021, International Journal of Engine Research.

[11]  M. Issa,et al.  Variable Speed Diesel Electric Generators: Technologies, Benefits, Limitations, Impact on Greenhouse Gases Emissions and Fuel Efficiency , 2021, Journal of Energy and Power Technology.

[12]  Hussein Ibrahim,et al.  State of the Art of Telecommunication Systems in Isolated and Constrained Areas , 2021, Sensors.

[13]  M. Negnevitsky,et al.  Theoretical Investigation of Combustion and Performance Analysis of Diesel Engine under Low Load Conditions , 2021 .

[14]  M. Issa,et al.  Effects of Low Charge and Environmental Conditions on Diesel Generators Operation , 2020 .

[15]  S. Rehman.  Hybrid power systems – Sizes, efficiencies, and economics , 2020 .

[16]  M. Ramana,et al.  Too small to be viable? The potential market for small modular reactors in mining and remote communities in Canada , 2020 .

[17]  Dariusz Tarnapowicz,et al.  Optimization to Limit the Effects of Underloaded Generator Sets in Stand-Alone Hybrid Ship Grids , 2020, Energies.

[18]  Theleli Abbas,et al.  Biomass Cogeneration Technologies: A Review , 2020 .

[19]  Jean Perron,et al.  Supercharging of Diesel Engine with Compressed Air: Experimental Investigation on Greenhouse Gases and Performance for a Hybrid Wind-Diesel System , 2019, Smart Grid and Renewable Energy.

[20]  Ming-Chia Lai,et al.  Experimental and numerical investigation of the effects of low-pressure, high-pressure and internal EGR configurations on the performance, combustion and emission characteristics in a hydrogen-enriched heavy-duty lean-burn natural gas SI engine , 2019, Energy Conversion and Management.

[21]  M. Issa,et al.  A Review and Economic Analysis of Different Emission Reduction Techniques for Marine Diesel Engines , 2019, Open Journal of Marine Science.

[22]  M. Issa,et al.  A Review and Comparison on Recent Optimization Methodologies for Diesel Engines and Diesel Power Generators , 2019, Journal of Power and Energy Engineering.

[23]  A. McFarlan.  Techno-economic assessment of pathways for electricity generation in northern remote communities in Canada using methanol and dimethyl ether to replace diesel , 2018, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.

[24]  M. Birouk,et al.  An experimental and numerical study on diesel injection split of a natural gas/diesel dual-fuel engine at a low engine load , 2018 .

[25]  Temitope Raphael Ayodele,et al.  n-split generator model: An approach to reducing fuel consumption, LCC, CO2 emission and dump energy in a captive power environment , 2017 .

[26]  H. Ngo,et al.  Evaluation of Nitrous Oxide Emission from Sulfide- and Sulfur-Based Autotrophic Denitrification Processes. , 2016, Environmental science & technology.

[27]  Timothy J. Jacobs,et al.  Efficiency improvements with low heat rejection concepts applied to diesel low temperature combustion , 2016 .

[28]  Haji Hassan Masjuki,et al.  An overview on comparative engine performance and emission characteristics of different techniques involved in diesel engine as dual-fuel engine operation. , 2016 .

[29]  Peng Geng,et al.  A review on natural gas/diesel dual fuel combustion, emissions and performance , 2016 .

[30]  Bo Yang,et al.  Parametric investigation of natural gas port injection and diesel pilot injection on the combustion and emissions of a turbocharged common rail dual-fuel engine at low load , 2015 .

[31]  Claudio A. Canizares,et al.  Northern Lights: Access to Electricity in Canada's Northern and Remote Communities , 2014, IEEE Power and Energy Magazine.

[32]  A. Dhar,et al.  Effect of fuel injection timing and pressure on combustion, emissions and performance characteristics of a single cylinder diesel engine , 2013 .

[33]  Paul C. Miles,et al.  A generalized renormalization group turbulence model and its application to a light-duty diesel engine operating in a low-temperature combustion regime , 2013 .

[34]  Poh Seng Lee,et al.  Experimental investigation of the performance and emission characteristics of direct injection diesel engine by water emulsion diesel under varying engine load condition , 2013 .

[35]  Reza Noroozian,et al.  Design of a multilevel control strategy for integration of stand-alone wind/diesel system , 2012 .

[36]  Ekrem Buyukkaya,et al.  Effects of biodiesel on a DI diesel engine performance, emission and combustion characteristics , 2010 .

[37]  H. Ogawa,et al.  Effect of Two-Stage Injection on Unburned Hydrocarbon and Carbon Monoxide Emissions in Smokeless Low-Temperature Diesel Combustion with Ultra-High Exhaust Gas Recirculation , 2010 .

[38]  Barat Ghobadian,et al.  Diesterol: An environment-friendly IC engine fuel , 2009 .

[39]  S. Khang,et al.  The Effect of Diesel Fuel Sulfur Content on Particulate Matter Emissions for a Nonroad Diesel Generator , 2005, Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association.