Diesel engines used in today’s power generation systems must keep running at maximum also by burning fuel at economic levels. The latest advances in injection systems, flue gas recirculation, and purification technologies have surely helped in these advances, but require a commensurate quality of your fuel.
Diesel Fuel and Power Generation
Diesel fuel is often the forgotten commodity, with regards to diesel engines, and the fuel is typically purchased, stored, and used with little concern for fuel quality until something eventually goes wrong. It is a well-known fact that poorly maintained diesel fuel is directly responsible for greater than 80% of fuel system failures, and the figure is even higher in new advanced HPCR fuel injection systems coming to market. As such, the diesel fuel must be maintained in a pristine condition and as close to an “as refined” condition as possible to ensure ultimate reliability.
UFS understands not only the criticality of the power generation industry, but also that the diesel fuel is one of the most critical “components” of the engine. Intelligent Fuel Management ensures the most critical component in your engine (the fuel) is available for use as required, in a condition that delivers peak performance when it is needed.
Common Power Generation Diesel Issues
Diesel fuels by their very nature are composed of unstable organic hydrocarbons, which degrade over time depending on a multitude of factors. As a fuel breaks down, gums and insoluble contaminants develop within the fuel stock. Natural fuel degradation, along with inorganic particulate and water contamination, make up the majority of fuel system component wear and failures.
Diesel fuel that is not maintained properly at as close to “as refined” as possible can cause the following common problems:
- Poor starting or failure to start
- Low power from the engine
- Injectors failure
- injector pump failure
- Poor or rough idle
- Increased fuel consumption
- Excessive Smoke
- VibraTION
- Increased emissions
Diesel fuel that is maintained in a condition as close to “as refined” as possible will outperform a diesel fuel that is under, or poorly, maintained. In order to achieve optimal fuel quality, the contaminants in fuel must be filtered out, water must be separated from the fuel, and the fuel must be conditioned. This process of filtration, separation, and conditioning is the foundation for achieving the quality of fuel necessary for ultimate reliability.
UFS manufactures and engineers fuel management solutions and products specifically tailored for Power Generation diesel fuel applications. Our in-house engineering team can modify, reconfigure, and enhance any of our current solutions to fit your fuel system application, or if necessary, develop a completely custom fuel management solution to meet the most challenging of requirements.