Landfill Gas Application Development of the Caterpillar G3600 Spark-Ignited Gas Engine

1995 ◽  
Vol 117 (4) ◽  
pp. 820-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Mueller
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Field Test ◽  
Landfill Gas ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Development Work ◽  
Fuel System ◽  
Application Development ◽  
Gas Engine ◽  
Performance Development ◽  
Simulated Landfill

A G3600 engine was developed to operate on landfill gas to demonstrate engine performance and identify any operational problems caused by this application. Fuel system and engine performance development were completed using simulated landfill gas containing carbon dioxide and natural gas at the Caterpillar Technical Center. The engine was packaged as a generator set and has operated for 12,000 hours on landfill gas. Engine performance goals similar to those for G3600 natural gas applications were achieved during development and were attained during the field test. Development work and field test endurance results are presented in this paper.

Ignition System Designed to Extend the Plug Life, and the Lean Limit in a Natural Gas Engine

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. K. Chan ◽  
S. H. Waters
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Ignition System ◽  
Gas Engine ◽  
Natural Gas Engine ◽  
Dc System ◽  
Spark Plug ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Discharge Duration ◽  
Lean Limit

An ignition system that is based on the alternating (AC) rather than the traditional direct (DC) current in the spark plug discharge has been developed at the Caterpillar Technical Center. This system can generate a long duration discharge with controllable power. It is believed that such an ignition system can provide both a leaner operating limit and a longer spark plug life than a traditional DC system due to the long discharge duration and the low discharge power. The AC ignition system has successfully been tested on a Caterpillar single cylinder G3500 natural gas engine to determine the effects on the engine performance, combustion characteristics and emissions. The test results indicate that while the AC ignition system has only a small impact on engine performance (with respect to a traditional DC system), it does extend the lean limit with lower NOx emissions. Evidences also show the potential of reduce spark plug electrode erosions from the low breakdown and sustaining discharge powers from the AC ignition system. This paper summarizes the prototype design and engine demonstration results of the AC ignition system.

HCCI Gas Engine: Evaluation of Engine Performance, Efficiency and Emissions - Comparing Producer Gas and Natural Gas

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Achilles ◽  
Jonas Ulfvik ◽  
Martin Tuner ◽  
Bengt Johansson ◽  
Jesper Ahrenfeldt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Producer Gas ◽  
Gas Engine

Evaluation of Engine Performance and Combustion in Natural Gas Engine with Pre-Chamber Plug under Lean Burn Conditions

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 221-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshitane Takashima ◽  
Hiroki Tanaka ◽  
Takahiro Sako ◽  
Masahiro Furutani
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Lean Burn ◽  
Gas Engine ◽  
Natural Gas Engine

Operation of a Caterpillar 3516 Spark-Ignited Engine on Low-Btu Fuel

1987 ◽  
Vol 109 (4) ◽  
pp. 443-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. C. Macari ◽  
R. D. Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Landfill Gas ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Combustion Characteristics ◽  
Continuous Operation ◽  
Brake Specific Fuel Consumption ◽  
Gas Generator ◽  
Heating Value

The use of an engine-generator package, fueled by landfill gas, to produce usable electrical power has generated considerable interest among both landfill operators and engine manufacturers. Landfill gas operation presents some unusual technical challenges that require preparation of the gas prior to engine consumption as well as modifications to the spark-ignited engine. The primary obstacles to landfill gas operation are the low-Btu content of the gas, its poor combustion characteristics, and fluctuations in the heating value of the gas. Even so, the engine was not derated from the standard natural gas generator set rating of 762 kW net electrical output. In addition, the engine performance was optimized to meet the EPA site laws for stationary gas engines while still maintaining very low brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC). Finally, 90 days of continuous operation demonstrated engine durability.

SI Gas Engine: Evaluation of Engine Performance, Efficiency and Emissions Comparing Producer Gas and Natural Gas

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1202-1209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Ulfvik ◽  
Matthias Achilles ◽  
Martin Tuner ◽  
Bengt Johansson ◽  
Jesper Ahrenfeldt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Producer Gas ◽  
Gas Engine

Survey of Gas Engine Performance and Future Trends

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Callahan
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Exhaust Emission ◽  
Nox Emissions ◽  
Gas Engine ◽  
Natural Gas Engines ◽  
Reciprocating Engines ◽  
Performance And Emissions

Worldwide, reciprocating engines play a major role in power generation. Many of the reciprocating engines are diesel engines used as stand-by generators, but increasingly, natural gas engines are providing distributed base load generation and finding service in combined heat and power applications. The economics of power generation continues to place a premium on engine efficiency while environmental regulators continue to legislate lower and lower exhaust emission levels, specifically NOx emissions. NOx emissions and efficiency tend to be proportional, so while not mutually exclusive, low NOx and high efficiency are difficult to obtain simultaneously. In spite of the NOx-efficiency relationship, natural gas engines are more efficient with lower emissions today than in the past and the trend toward higher efficiency will continue in the future. This paper surveys current natural gas engine performance and emissions and projects future engine performance. This paper also introduces the ARES and ARICE programs for developing revolutionary technology for high efficiency and low emissions.

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