Small diesel generators sometimes have bad images. But I think it’s just a prejudice. It is well known that diesel engines are the engine of choice in industrial environments. And it is a case of many years. I have a lot of experience with this engine. You will understand that critical issues such as cost, reliability and efficiency have been thoroughly evaluated. So it’s no surprise that diesel engines get a good score on these issues. Diesel is more stable and efficient, requires a longer life cycle and less maintenance than an engine that operates on other fuels. This is not a slogan of commercial advertising, but there is a technical reason to support it.
An important technical problem with internal combustion engines is that a significant fraction of the potential energy from the fuel is converted to heat instead of useful power. And some of them should be used for engine cooling to prevent overheating. Since the temperature of a diesel engine in operation is much lower than the temperature of other internal combustion engines, a significant portion of the energy of the fuel must be converted to useful power and less than this power must be used for cooling.
But it is only part of the diesel efficiency. Another reason why this engine is more efficient is the compression ratio. The compression ratio of the diesel engine is 14: 1 up to 25: 1 and the compression ratio of the gasoline engine is between 8: 1 and 12: 1. The higher the compression ratio, the higher the engine efficiency.
Because of efficiency, the cost of using a diesel engine is less than the cost of a gas engine. More specifically, the fuel cost of diesel generators per kilowatt is 30% to 50% lower than gas generators.
Of course, the engine needs maintenance. And that’s another reason for the popularization of diesel engines. In other words, it requires less maintenance and lasts longer than gas engines. Partly because of the lower temperature of the diesel engine we discussed earlier. But another reason is the fact that reliability and low maintenance costs do not exist in diesel engines with spark plugs or spark wires. As a result, these components can cause problems and do not need to be replaced on a regular basis.
The last prejudice I would like to talk about is that many people think that diesel engines are very noisy and smelly machines. And indeed it is true. But it is no longer because diesel technology has developed significantly over the last few decades. Diesel engines work quietly and with less loudness. Better insulation has been developed (and used). The muffler also contributed to the diesel engine with low noise.
So choosing a diesel generator in a more efficient and noisy place than in the past would actually be a choice for the future.
An important technical problem with internal combustion engines is that a significant fraction of the potential energy from the fuel is converted to heat instead of useful power. And some of them should be used for engine cooling to prevent overheating. Since the temperature of a diesel engine in operation is much lower than the temperature of other internal combustion engines, a significant portion of the energy of the fuel must be converted to useful power and less than this power must be used for cooling.
But it is only part of the diesel efficiency. Another reason why this engine is more efficient is the compression ratio. The compression ratio of the diesel engine is 14: 1 up to 25: 1 and the compression ratio of the gasoline engine is between 8: 1 and 12: 1. The higher the compression ratio, the higher the engine efficiency.
Because of efficiency, the cost of using a diesel engine is less than the cost of a gas engine. More specifically, the fuel cost of diesel generators per kilowatt is 30% to 50% lower than gas generators.
Of course, the engine needs maintenance. And that’s another reason for the popularization of diesel engines. In other words, it requires less maintenance and lasts longer than gas engines. Partly because of the lower temperature of the diesel engine we discussed earlier. But another reason is the fact that reliability and low maintenance costs do not exist in diesel engines with spark plugs or spark wires. As a result, these components can cause problems and do not need to be replaced on a regular basis.
The last prejudice I would like to talk about is that many people think that diesel engines are very noisy and smelly machines. And indeed it is true. But it is no longer because diesel technology has developed significantly over the last few decades. Diesel engines work quietly and with less loudness. Better insulation has been developed (and used). The muffler also contributed to the diesel engine with low noise.
So choosing a diesel generator in a more efficient and noisy place than in the past would actually be a choice for the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment