GENERATORS- AN OVERVIEW

The generator evolved from the work done by Michael Faraday along with Law Joseph Henry, who in the 1820s discovered the operating principal of electromagnetic generators. This principle is now called Faraday's. Once these two inventors discovered and documented the phenomena of electromagnetic induction, it lead to experimentation by others in both Europe and North America.

Diesel powered generators, or electrical generator sets, are used in countless industrial and commercial establishments. These generators can be used for small loads, such as in homes, as well as for larger loads like industrial plants, hospitals, and commercial buildings. They can either be prime power sources or standby/back-up power sources. They are available in various specifications and sizes. Diesel generator sets rating 5-30KW are typically used in simple home and personal applications like recreational vehicles. Industrial applications cover a wider spectrum of power ratings (from 30 kW to 6 Megawatts) and are used in numerous industries throughout the world. For home use, single-phase power generators are sufficient. Three-phase power generators are primarily used for industrial purposes.

There are two types of generators: permanent and standby. The permanent ones run on an existing fuel source – either liquid propane or natural gas and are capable of generating enough wattage. The portable generators are smaller and can be wheeled around. Their primary source of fuel is gasoline. Generators are reasonably safe as long as the safety precautions are met and no misuse takes place. Generators are best used outdoors where it is well ventilated as the carbon monoxide that a generator releases can prove fatal if inhaled over a period of time. Generators have a low voltage system along with economic benefits and low operating costs and maintenance costs. The systems are extremely compact with a simple design. 

Blow-by gases

Is your diesel generator leaking fumes? Not to worry, a small percentage of gas will escape during normal operations?
Learn about ‘Blow- by’ gases...

Blow-by gases are present with all internal combustion engines.

A healthy engine will normally have a Blow-by of 1% of its swept volume (flow in LPM – Litre per minute).

Blow-by is the gas that enters to engine’s crankcase during Power Stroke and  Compression Stroke. This gas is composed of unburnt fuel,  air and combustion by-products.

 

BLOW-BY FLOW PATHS

Blow-by happens because perfect sealing between the Cylinder wall (Cylinder Bore) and Piston is not possible. The tangential load pressing the Piston Rings into the bore wall create a good seal, but still there are gaps, and gases get through them and enters the Crankcase. Refer the figures to see the gaps.

The Blow-by gases enters the crankcase, if they are left unchecked it will eventually build up pressure and can cause the oil to be blown past the crankshaft and camshaft seals !!

Some engine design have a Open Breathing System where the Blow-by gases are breathed out to atmosphere and some design have a Closed Breathing System where the Blow-by gases re-enter into the air intake system.

If engine is put under full load during starting (when the piston temperature is yet to reach its operating temperature) it will cause accelerated wear and tear of the Cylinder Bore. Worn out cylinder leads to increased blow-by and loss of power. It is always advisable to give sufficient time to warm-up before the engine is put under load.

Indian Power Scenario 2013

Electric energy occupies the top grade in energy hierarchy. It finds innumerable uses in home, industry, agriculture and even in transport. The fact that electricity can be transported practically instantaneously, almost pollution-free, at the consumer level and that its use can be controlled very easily, makes it very attractive as compared to other form of energy.

The per capita consumption of electricity in any country is; index of the standard of living of the people in that country. As per the latest figures, the annual per capita consumption of electrical energy in some of the countries is: USA—11,920 kWh, Canada— 16,020 kWh Japan—6,750 kWh, UK- 5,467 kWh, Russia-6,017 kWh and India – 498 kWh in 2012.

The electric energy demand in India during the past 20 years was higher than the gross generation as a result 
of which there were massive power-cuts. Monsoons are another reason for the increase in these power cuts. The load-shedding has been in force for the last several months as the water level in reservoirs depleted drastically due to deficient rainfall last year. There are several issues that characterize India's energy scenario today. These can be briefly listed as follows:

The present installed capacity in our country is about 225.133 GW as on May 2013 and the largest share in power generation is contributed by thermal power plants, which account for about 78.7 percent of the total power generated in country. Hydel power contributes about 18.5 percent while nuclear power accounts for only 2.7 percent. The rest being accounted for by diesel, wind, solar and gas plants.

In December 2011, over 300 million Indian citizens had no access to electricity. Over one third of India's rural population lacked electricity, as did 6% of the urban population. Of those who did have access to electricity in India, the supply was intermittent and unreliable. In 2010, blackouts and power shedding interrupted irrigation and manufacturing across the country.

The problem of rising power cuts can be resolved by adopting the following technologies which have been invented for the same purpose:

One type of technology includes inducting micro-turbines using natural gas that could enable individual households and shops to generate their own power cheaply, keeping grid as a backup.

Another such technology would be the construction of a Km long tower with saline or brackish water being poured from top so that as it hurtles down, the water reaches velocity of 70 km/h, good enough to drive turbines and generate electricity. Apart of this electricity would be used to pump water up and the remaining be utilized for consumption. Another device that could be used is a UPS (also called an inverter); a power storage device is a silent solution to power cut problems. 

Benefits of Diesel Generators.

People have been using generators for ages as they serve as the perfect backup solution in case of power failure. These generators are used for a wide range of applications including telecom sites, hospitals, residential complexes, offices etc.

Generators may run on petrol, diesel, gas (CNG, LPG) or bio-diesel, but diesel generators are still the most preferred choice for off grid power solution in almost all commercial as well as domestic applications today.

To arrest the noise of diesel engines a sound attenuated enclosure, also known as Canopy, is used. Generator with Canopy is also known as silent generator.

Diesel Generators benefit greatly primarily from the source of its fuel i.e. Diesel

·         Diesel is the most abundantly found fuel among all other fuels. Therefore it is the more suited option for factories located in remote areas.

·         Diesel contains more energy than petrol, that is why diesel engines are more fuel efficient than petrol engines. It consumes less fuel and delivers superior performance.

·    Diesel is relatively less expensive as compared to other liquid fuels available in the market and hence is commercially more viable for industries.

·         Diesel fuel is safer than petrol or gas as it is less flammable.

Apart from these diesel generators have several other advantages:

·         Diesel generators can operate perfectly in extreme cold climates with the use of Glow Plugs.

·         Diesel engines are simple in design and built ruggedly. Due to their robust built, diesel engines are extremely stable and can withstand heavy load.  They can be resold at a high market price even after 5 years.

·         Diesel Generators can remain operational for long periods of time and have very low probability of breakdown. To ensure a long-lasting function, the generator should be installed in a proper manner and basic maintenance plan should be adhered to. Diesel engines generally run 10000 hours before it needs any service beyond basic maintenance.

·         Basic maintenance of a diesel engine is less expensive and simple, like changing Oil, Fuel, Air filters and periodic change of Oil and Coolant. On the other hand with Petrol or Gas engine one has to deal with tune ups, carburettor adjustments, distributor burns, spark plugs which requires periodic cleaning and replacement.

·         The glow plugs used in diesel engines have better running life than spark plugs.

·         A diesel engine consumes less lubricating oil compared to other engines, thus saves money.

For any further questions, please visit our YouTube page to explain proper installation and commission of the diesel generator. www.youtube.com/mahindrapowerol

This post is brought to you by Mahindra Powerol, leading manufacturers of diesel generators, industrial engines and home ups inverters and batteries. www.mahindrapowerol.com/ www.mahindrapowerolhups.com

LIGHT GRAFFITI

Light graffiti also called light writing, light painting, and light art is simply long exposure photography using lights to create objects and add effects into the photo that are not actually there in real life. It is a photographic technique in which exposures are made usually at night or in a darkened room by moving a hand-held light source or by moving the camera.

By moving the light source, the light can be used to selectively illuminate parts of the subject or to "paint" a picture by shining it directly into the camera lens. Light painting requires a slow shutter speed, usually a second or more. Light painting can be done interactively using a webcam. The painted image can already be seen while drawing by using a monitor or projector. Another technique used in the creation of light art is the projection of images on to irregular surfaces (faces, bodies, buildings etc.), in effect "painting" them with light. A photograph or other fixed portrayal of the resulting image is then made.

A variety of light sources can be used, ranging from simple flashlights to dedicated devices which use a fiber optic light pen. Other sources of light including candles, matches, fireworks, lighter flints and glow sticks are also popular. A tripod is usually necessary due to the long exposure times involved. Alternatively, the camera may be placed on or braced against a table or other solid support. A shutter release cable or self timer is generally employed in order to minimize camera shake. Color Gels can also be used to color the light sources.