Exhaust Temperatures - CAT 3516B/3512B Gen Sets

The plant I worked in two years ago had a 1200-rpm Cat 3516 on an 1100-kW (1375 kVA) 60-Hz genset. It sounds as though your gensets are underpowered, perhaps even "lugging" to keep up, and hence overheating the exhaust.

Thanks for your post. You may be right because these are 60 hz machines detuned for 50 hz (1500 rpm's). However, since we operate isolated (island mode) we have to assume whatever load is out there and maintain voltage and frequency. Also we operate in the prime mode of operation (24/7). What were the exhaust temps with your 3516? Thanks again!

I'd agree with the assesment of overloading; I have found CAT diesels to be fairly responsive in the load - diesel consumption. Check your recorded fuel consumption against the CAT charts for the 3516B on their site for reference.

Since you have to maintain speed (on our island [Curacao, Dutch Caribbean] we also maintain 50 Hz) it appears you have little option but to split the load permanently or at least start the second unit at a threshold of about 1100 kW.

In any case; you 650 oC is way too hot; that hotter than our gasturbine exhaust!

I uses to start to panic when the exhaust temperature on my 3408 would climb above 1050F. I knew it was time to back off and get things under 950F.

Hi! You are right! You have 2 problems.may be more... 1 - - This is a too high exhaust temp ! this heat may be recovered into power. 2 - - Your power quality is poor . Under quote and regular order a guaranteed Solutions available in both cases. We are A.P.S. Alternative power systems - we may supply the engineering solution . Joshua Gabriel Saada: V.P. Engineering Joshua@aps-microgen.com saadaj@netvision.net.il Alternativepowersystems@gmail.com Cell: 972(0) 546566191 Tel/fax on demand: 972(0) 88652424 Senior Electrical Test Engineer:

my friend you have the answer in your question itself the root cause is your load is 1600kW Unity power factor and your sets are designed to operate with 0.8 PF that means you are loading 100% of the rated load and you have not mentioned your sets are prime duty or continues duty if its prime duty sets naturally they get over heated that means your power plant is undersized! thats the reason your dealer is not responding don't except help from any body you have to live with the overheating problem

crm

laid off CAT application engineer

Just a comment based on experience;

It is not uncommon to find elevated exhaust temperatures for CATs when the exhaust piping is undersized (or even right at the mfg's specs) or the routing is complicated, both of which can cause excessive back pressure...