Invented by Rudolph Diesel, diesel engines are used almost everywhere, from mechanical engines to power generators, in locomotives and automobiles, and numerous industrial applications. Industries such as marine, mining, construction, agriculture, telecommunications, and many others use diesel engines and diesel generators regularly. Power generation either as a stand-by option or for prime use is one of the major applications of diesel engines today.
Diesel Power Generators
Used in all types of commercial and residential establishments, diesel-powered generators are available with different specifications and sizes. Diesel generators with a rating of five to thirty kW are generally used in homes and for personal applications. Generators with a rating of thirty kW to six megawatts are used for industrial and commercial applications. While single-phase diesel generators are sufficient for home use, industrial and commercial purposes usually require a three-phase power generator.
How Does a Diesel Engine Work?
Employing compression-ignition for igniting the fuel, diesel engines have air is drawn into them, which is then subjected to very high compression, a process that heats the air resulting in very high temperatures inside the engine. Once the peak pressure and temperature are achieved, diesel is let into the engine. Due to the high temperature, the diesel ignites.
Air and diesel are infused at different stages in a diesel engine. In a gasoline engine, this is done as a mixture of the two. As compared to a gasoline engine that compresses a mixture of air and fuel, a diesel engine compresses just air. This allows the compression ratio in diesel engines to be much higher, resulting in better overall efficiency. Unlike the gasoline engine which requires a carburetor, an injector is used for injecting fuel in a diesel engine.
Glow plugs or heaters are provided with diesel engines to provide extra heat during cold weather. Depending on the mode of operation, diesel engines are available as two-cycle or four-cycle. They are also available in the form of liquid or air-cooled engines.
Why Diesel?
Fuel prices are on an upward spiral due to the difference between demand and supply and geo-politics. The chances of it coming down are negligible. Under the circumstances, it makes sense to choose a cost-effective fuel. You can check out https://www.ablesales.com.au/diesel-generators-perth-melbourne-brisbane/diesel-generator/ for more information on why diesel is a better option. With its higher energy density, diesel provides more energy as compared to the same volume of gasoline. Diesel automobiles provide better mileage than gasoline-powered vehicles, making it a better choice for equipment and transportation. There is no doubt that diesel engines have proved themselves as highly efficient and extremely cost-effective.
Advantages of a Diesel Engine
Diesel generators are safe and reliable, robust and long-lasting. Since they operate at lower temperatures than gasoline engines, along with using compression for ignition, they operate under much less stress. This reduces the chances of malfunctions and break downs. Diesel engines also provide better mileage thus keeping the operating costs lower than gasoline engines. This translates into storing a lower quantity of fuel. Since diesel is not volatile like gasoline, it is safer to keep diesel in storage. Compared to gasoline engines, diesel engines require less maintenance, further reducing operating costs. The safety features make diesel generators the ideal machine for portable use.
Diesel generators today as compared to earlier ones are less polluting, emitting fewer nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. The new diesel generators are less noisy as compared to their predecessors. The currently available silent diesel generators are placed in enclosures designed to minimize vibrations and are soundproof.
Diesel generators score over most other types of generators in terms of their price. They are cheaper to operate and have affordable initial costs to their name. Diesel generators are very robust; fortunately, in case they suffer from any breakdown, then repairs and spare parts can be procured easily. Another good thing about diesel generators is their sensitivity to temperature and weather. Irrespective of the ambient temperature, diesel generators have no lags or issues during the startup time. Overall, diesel engine generators are a good choice for residential and commercial establishments alike.
Buying a Diesel Generator
The most important factor to consider before you purchase a generator is to work out the wattage requirement. Overloading a gen-set is not advisable, it is always better to buy a gen-set with a slightly higher rating than your peak load requirements. You must also remember to install a transfer switch for easier operations. Another factor to consider is the shut-down system in the generator. A shut-down system is important to protect the generator from malfunctioning due to lack of oil pressure, high temperature or over speed.
Finally, buy a generator from a reputed vendor who also provides after-sales service and maintenance.