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PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

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5.2.8 Estimating Biodiesel Performance From Diesel Consumption<br />

Testing <strong>of</strong> biodiesel performance in diesel engines shows that specific biodiesel<br />

consumption (in litres) is, typically, 10% more than diesel consumption in the<br />

same engine [12]. This increase is due to the reduced lower heating value (LHV)<br />

<strong>of</strong> biodiesel, despite its higher density. Taking into account the difference in<br />

density, the specific fuel consumption (g/kWh) <strong>of</strong> biodiesel is equal to the diesel<br />

specific fuel consumption increased by 15%. Heat to electricity ratios and<br />

overall efficiencies remain unaffected. If the efficiency is being used rather than<br />

the specific fuel consumption, the efficiency value does not require to be<br />

amended for varying lower heating values, as these will be taken into<br />

consideration when calculating the actual fuel consumption.<br />

If the modelling <strong>of</strong> back-up supply using diesel, petrol or natural gas as fuels is<br />

required, this may be done using the ‘other’ fuel categories, and giving the<br />

required information for these fuels. It is necessary to specify whether these<br />

‘other’ fuels are solid, liquid or gas, to allow the correct calculations to be made.<br />

5.3 Stirling Engine Model<br />

The performance <strong>of</strong> a Stirling engine is not affected by ambient temperature or<br />

altitude and, therefore, does not require derating. Otherwise, performance<br />

characteristics are quoted in a similar manner to other engines, with efficiency<br />

values being given. Again, efficiency decreases with partial load, as can be seen<br />

in Figure 5.15, while overall efficiency (electricity and heat) remains fairly<br />

constant. This allows this type <strong>of</strong> engine to be treated in the same manner as<br />

diesel engines and ICEs for performance modelling, as described in section 5.2.<br />

However, due to the external nature <strong>of</strong> the heat source, and their fairly slow<br />

start-up time, the options to follow heat demand, electricity demand or both are<br />

not appropriate for Stirling engines, and are, therefore, not available. Again,<br />

multiple engine sets may be used, and these are subject to a minimum<br />

recommended load. The output from this procedure is a graph <strong>of</strong> percentage<br />

engine loading, and fuel use is calculated and dealt with as before. An example<br />

146

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