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Join Date: Aug 2013
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Alternate Fuel for Diesel?

08/12/2013 9:06 AM

Hi,

Good Evening.

Please mention, if any alternate fuel available for diesel to run GENSETS. We are to generate Power using Gensets for 13-14 hours a day to carry out fabrication & erection jobs in next 5-6 months at a Project site.

Cost of diesel is revised upwards every month in India and consumption of diesel is bound to increase.

Thanks.

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Guru
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#1

Re: ALTERNATE FUEL FOR DIESEL

08/12/2013 9:19 AM

Of course alternate fuels are available.

Propane, natural gas...

These fuels will require a different prime mover, or an extensive refit of the existing.

Diesel is usually the fuel of choice for gennies... but if reliable fuel source cannot be found, you sometimes have to make compromises.

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Guru

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#2

Re: ALTERNATE FUEL FOR DIESEL

08/12/2013 9:24 AM

ALTERNATE POWER SOURCE↓

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#5
In reply to #2

Re: ALTERNATE FUEL FOR DIESEL

08/12/2013 11:44 AM

Thanks...

This will not suffice our requirement.. which is huge with respect to this image...

Good Day

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Guru
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#3

Re: Alternate Fuel for Diesel?

08/12/2013 9:53 AM

With proper filtration and other treatment, recycled cooking oil can be used; it's called "biodiesel."

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Guru
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#4

Re: Alternate Fuel for Diesel?

08/12/2013 10:09 AM

With the proper tuning a diesel will run on just about anything that burns, including pulverized coal. One of the original fuels that Diesel used was peanut oil and a peanut oil/coal slurry.

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#6

Re: Alternate Fuel for Diesel?

08/12/2013 11:52 AM

Although other fuels are recommended, lack of availability is the factor.

Further, Genset manufacturer says... there is nothing beyond DIESEL to run gensets of HIGHER CAPACITIES.

Kindly treat this update to suggest me further.

Happy Day ahead...

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Guru

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#7
In reply to #6

Re: Alternate Fuel for Diesel?

08/12/2013 12:24 PM

Hire someone who knows something about welding and power generation.

You are obviously completely lost and have no idea what to do.

Buy proper generators, and use the recommended fuel.

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Guru

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#9
In reply to #6

Re: Alternate Fuel for Diesel?

08/12/2013 7:50 PM

OK, then back to square one - what cheap fuel do you have available?

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Guru

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#10
In reply to #6

Re: Alternate Fuel for Diesel?

08/12/2013 7:51 PM

Disregard, it posted twice.

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#8

Re: Alternate Fuel for Diesel?

08/12/2013 5:19 PM

Diesel fuel is the most available of the heavy petrochemical internal combustion fuels. Any engine designed to burn raw diesel fuel can use either a mixture of diesel and vegetable oil , or palm or corn oil , modified for better combustion inside an engine . Brazil maintains large diesel generators ( and trains ) which burn corn oil . A mixture of mineral diesel and biologically less damaging vegetable oil is used for truck engines , called " Biodiesel Fuel ". A cleaner product of combustion is the idea behind " Biodiesel Fuel ". This fuel can be ' brewed ' from cooking oil , or waste vegetable oil . Brazil , in South America , utilizes a stockpile of corn oil based fuel for it's power generation , and to power rail locomotives .

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Guru

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#11

Re: Alternate Fuel for Diesel?

08/13/2013 9:15 AM

You appear to be asking for "drop-in" replacements which can be used with minimal or no alterations to the equipment.

As far as I know you are limited to the following:

  1. Syngas or pyrolysis gas- biomass etc. that has been pyrolized to a liquid fuel (NOT producer gas which is a gas). Depending on the feed sources, operating conditions and quality control this can provide a fuel that will run diesel equipment. It may not even be available in India.
  2. Kerosene- not likely a choice if you're worried about cost
  3. Higher molecular weight alcohols (butyl alcohol & up- not sure of the top end)- again, likely more expensive and the choice needs to be matched to fuel system lubricity, operating characteristics etc.
  4. Propane, NG, water/ methanol injection systems- these are often used as supplementary fuels/ performance boosters by diesel truck enthusiasts & may reduce your usage of diesel. Go on a diesel truck forum for more info.
  5. Biodiesel- virgin or recycled vegetable oils and fats that have been transesterified to allow use as a straight drop-in or blended with diesel. Cost may vary, fuel usage will likely increase slightly.
  6. Used cooking oil- will likely require some modification (fuel preheating etc.) to work well, may be best combined with diesel. Known to increase injector coking.
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Guru

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#12

Re: Alternate Fuel for Diesel?

08/13/2013 11:35 AM

do you like the smell of donuts and french fries???

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#13

Re: Alternate Fuel for Diesel?

08/14/2013 1:20 PM

Thank you all for ur suggestions & comments.....

Good Day....

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Guru

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#14

Re: Alternate Fuel for Diesel?

08/14/2013 4:16 PM

If you already own the GENSETS, perhapse the best thing to do is buy a large quantity of fuel, and therefore you will be less affected by price fluctuations. Calculate the amount of fuel you will require for the 6 months of service and see how much storage will cost you. compare this to worst case projections of fuel cost and you will have an answer as to viability of this idea. In the long run if you are going to do this as a project every year for many years, once you have depreciated the costs of the storage, you should be in a price competitive position. Compare storage to the cost of changing your diesels to run alternate fuels, and whether the alternates will be long term stable as well. There is no point in changing a diesel to run biofuel if it becomes more expensive or unobtainable and you have to change the diesel again. Also unused storage will be a credit to the budget on the next operation. Depending on market conditions, you may have to think about security to prevent theft or vandalism. If your home office site has rail access you might purchase a rail car full of diesel at wholesale prices and use it in smaller amounts at your work sites. Buying in volume almost always yields competitive price advantages when the supply price is volatile. GOOD LUCK

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