Advice on generators

[Dave Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dave]

Hi all,

I am working on a biodiesel project in Cambodia. I am working with an Australian based NGO.

I am building a small pilot plant withthe aim to supply biodiesel to run an small universities diesel generators.

The Uni provides free education for all rural Cambodians, who would normally not get access to any education. Currently the entire uni is powered by two diesel generators, which provide limited power during the day, and no power past 8pm. Things are tough at the uni, and this project aims to generate a little more income for them, and also allow for the use of electricity for fans, lights and computers all day long.

ANY help that members of this board can provide wil be GREATLY appreciated.

I am listing the 2 types of generators used at the uni. I am allowed to produce B100 and trial it on the smaller gen first. Obviously the uni is very apprehensive about using the product on the larger gen, as it was donated by a donot country, and if it was damaged the uni would be in a VERY bad situation.

Ive been advised by some BD producers to begin by using B20 on the smaller gen, and advancing to B100. Then replicate this, once successful, on the larger gen.

I would like to list the specs of the gens here, and just get some reassurance from members, who have some experience in this area, if these gens are OK to use BD100 with.
Many thanks for any opinions.

Smal Gen specs.

S195
7.5 KVA
I-h rating output 9.7 KW 2000r/min
Net mass 145 kg
Rugao Engine Works, Peoples Republic of China

Large Gen specs.

50/60 KVA
7.5KVA x 2
57.4 KW 1800 min
200/220V 144/157A
100/110V 75/68.2A
6,494L
Japan
3686KG


Should running BD in these diesel gens be OK?

Any communications can be forwarded to

biodiesel_cambodia@yahoo.com.au

Thanks!

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

Re: Advice on generators

My thoughts only -

It should be absolutely fine to run well made biodiesel in any diesel engine be it fixed or mobile, ie generator / vehicle.

The big issues I do have relate to the manufacture of the biodiesel, that's in your control but then there is the generator.

Look out for rubber fuel lines although they may have vulcanised like mine in the presence of mi8neral diesel over time and be ok of a time. Injection pump seals are another, other than that try it if it doesn't work then go back but diesel engines being what they are (big air pumps) will run happily on many fuels. Some like SVO have a few issues to avoided like coking!

Matt

[Dave Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dave]

Re: Advice on generators

Thanks Matt,

The quality of my fuel will be high, and I will ensure that.

So, are you suggesting that I keep an eye on the hoses inside the generator only? What warnings sign should I look out for? DO the hoses develop holes, get eaten awat, or are just visibly deterioting. Over what time span can this generally tend to happen?

Thank you.

[Gunner Donating Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gunner]

Re: Advice on generators

The capacity of the engine, or the rating of the genset will give no clue at all as to the suitability or otherwise of the engines to run on BD. Industrial Diesels used in Generators will usually have inline Injector Pumps rather than rotary Injector pumps, and the inline pumps are generally more forgiving of fuel quality (and will even run on all sorts of oils and Kero/AVTUR). Any machine manufactured within the last 5-10 years (particularly the Japanese genset) will likely have seal and hose material suitable for BD. Chinese engineering tends to be copies of western designs of a few years ago, but I should think that seal and hose material would be to modern specs. I presume there is no fancy electronic injection on these units. Check with the service manual or contact the manufacturer if possible.
Signs that your rubber hoses are reacting with the Biodiesel are softening or swelling. Bend and squeeze the hoses now so you will be familiar with the amount of flex and stiffness in the hoses. After using BD for a while, re-check the hoses to see if they are now more pliable or easier to crush. It will be quite a simple task to replace a few lengths of fuel hose if needed.

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

Re: Advice on generators

Gunner is on the mark, the only thing to add is that the fuel lines to the injectors are generally solid due to the pressures involved, so they are not an issue.

Rubber anywhere will cause problems, like in the old Freelander (pre 2000) it had a lift sensor in no 1 injector with rubber. It dissolved and car would not go!

Anyway hoses will sweat and look very bad with biodiesel if they are rubber. I would recommend getting a similar sized pesticide hose, they can have nylon inners and work very well as Bio fuel hose! Older rubber hoses used with mineral diesel tend to vulcanise in the presence of sulphur and seem to be a bit more resistant to sweating. It is plain to see when the hose sweats it wet on the outside and goes very soft inside. Other than that try it. One load will not do much except smell better!

Matt

[Tony From West Oz Vice Chairperson of WARFA Find all posts View Profile Close Tony From West Oz]

Re: Advice on generators

Natural rubber hoses are not used as diesel fuel lines. Nitrile ruibber fuel lines are biodiesel resistant and I have replaced a few hoses on our '82 and '84 300Ds with this hose. The replaced hoses were old and they leaked, as they would have if they were still on petroleum diesel.
There are reports of the methanol in unwashed biodiesel causing problems with nitrile rubber fuel hose, but the biodiesel I get is unwashed, and I have not needed to replace any of the new hoses I installed in the past 2 years.

Normal vehicle servicing requires a close inspection of all hoses, belts and tyres. Any deterioration of the fuel hoses should be apparent at that time. If this inspection is not done, you will probably have problems, regardless of which fuel you use.

[tillyfromparadise Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tillyfromparadise]

Re: Advice on generators

I have done a surveys or two on biodiesel websites and the vast majority of people experience no problems of any kind when switching to biodiesel.

I do know of a fellow who bought a 20 year old Mercedes and after only three years of running biodiesel his 23 year old fuel lines failed.
Apparently this experience convinced several "Knowledgable" people of the dangers of using biodiesel.

I have read that all US Coast Guard approved fuel line is safe to use with biodiesel.

Tilly