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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications Mike Fenton Michigan CAT Power Systems 810-348-4020 [email protected]
Alternative (Low Energy)
Fuel Applications
Mike Fenton
Michigan CAT Power Systems
810-348-4020
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
Agenda
• Fuel
• Engine considerations
• Site operations
• Conclusion
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
Low Energy fuels have four major characteristics
– Quality (how “Good” is the fuel?)
– Quantity (how much fuel is there?)
– Consistency (How is the fuel changing?)
– Purity (quantity and type contaminants?)
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Quality – LHV Determined with
fuel sampling and the
CAT Methane Number
Program
– Used to determine
engine technologies
LEKQ6378
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
Why is quality important?
– Standard fuels like Diesel and Pipeline Natural are refined fuel
designed to be clean and consistent.
– This is not the case for Alternative fuels
– As a result, no two sites will share the same fuel characteristics,
even within the same application.
– Because of the nature of the source processes, these fuel
characteristics will change over time.
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Quantity
– Determined by source
– Usually expressed in a volumetric rate
(scf/day)
– Ideally expressed in an energy rate (Btu/min)
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Quantity – Used to select engine
size
– Used in the project
financial planning
(Energy produced)
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
Why is quantity important?
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Consistency
– Energy rate of change over time (X Btus/hr)
– Again a function of fuel source
– Will change over the life of a project
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Why is consistency important? – Understanding can be difficult. May require historical
sampling, predictive analysis, and collection system
control
– Used to drive engine
selection and Platform
– May also drive
additional controls
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Purity (Contaminants)
– Includes simple dirt and water, but alternative
fuel may also contain H2S, Silicon, Halides,
Ammonia
– Often expressed in volumetric concentration
(ppmv)
– Ideally expressed as mass per energy (µg/Btu)
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Why is purity important
– Significant effect on
O&M costs
– May also drive the
need for additional fuel
treatment
– Where do I put my
money?
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
Understanding the fuel is the critical success
factor when applying gas engines.
• Rating
• Engine selection (controls)
• Operation and Maintenance
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
What engine do I choose?
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
Not all engines are created equal
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Engine Design – Hardened materials
– Fuel system
– Electronic controls
– Cooling system temperatures
– Fuel treatment
– After treatment?
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Emissions
– Federal law (NSPS,
RICE NESHAP)
– Local Law (State, City,
AQB)
– Attainment vs. Non-
attainment
– Most difficult piece
– Experts…worth $$$$$
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Efficiency
– Thermal, electrical
– Sounds great
– Important
– Effect?
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Reliability and availability
– Uptime percentage
– Parts availability
– Serviceability
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Site Operations
– Plan for it NOW!
– Who, what, where, when, why, how
– Endless structure possibilities
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Site Operations
– Most successful sites are self managed
– Equipment supplier is back stop
– Parts inventory onsite
– Trained professionals
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
Thank you
Mike Fenton
Michigan CAT Power Systems
810-348-4020
