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PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

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5.2.3 Engine Performance in the Context <strong>of</strong> Varying Load<br />

In order to define the performance <strong>of</strong> an engine, it is necessary to know the<br />

required percentage loading, and its efficiency or fuel consumption at that load.<br />

If CHP is to be considered, the ratio <strong>of</strong> heat to electricity output must also be<br />

known. 5.7 shows a representative heat balance curve for a diesel engine,<br />

though exact characteristics vary with engine size and configuration. It can be<br />

seen that the percentage <strong>of</strong> fuel energy input which contributes to net work<br />

(mechanical work, and hence electricity production) remains fairly constant<br />

down to around 70% <strong>of</strong> full load, but then starts to decrease rapidly, showing<br />

that the efficiency <strong>of</strong> electricity production decreases with percentage load (i.e.<br />

more fuel is required per kWh <strong>of</strong> electricity produced at lower percentage<br />

loadings). At the same time, the amount <strong>of</strong> heat lost to the jacket coolant water<br />

and exhaust gases, from which heat recovery is possible for CHP generation,<br />

increases due to this decreased efficiency.<br />

It can also be seen from Figure 5.7 that, if the percentage fuel energy input<br />

values for net work, exhaust and jacket water are summed at different<br />

percentage loadings, the overall percentage <strong>of</strong> fuel energy input which<br />

contributes to these three outputs remains fairly constant. Values below 20%<br />

loading have not been taken into consideration here as this is typically<br />

recommended by manufacturers to be the minimum load value to avoid damage<br />

to the engine. This means that the overall efficiency (for electricity and heat) <strong>of</strong><br />

a typical engine CHP generation system remains fairly constant, while the fuel<br />

to electrical efficiency decreases with decreased load. Therefore, more heat is<br />

produced at lower loads, keeping the overall percentage <strong>of</strong> recoverable energy<br />

(electricity and heat) fairly constant. Using this assumption, it is possible to<br />

estimate the ratio <strong>of</strong> heat to electricity production at any percentage loading,<br />

provided the ratio is known for 100% loading. These figures are typical for both<br />

diesel engines and ICEs, with the overall efficiency (heat and electricity)<br />

generally being around 90% <strong>of</strong> the fuel input.<br />

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