Multi fuel Genset
(Multi fuel combustion engine Power Generation
without heat recovery)

Power Generation units based on combustion engine technology are a highly developed electricity generation technology.

Our multi fuel engine technology for Plant oils (e.g. Palm, Coconut, Canola oil…) allow the use of widely available “CO2-neutral” fuels in a highly efficient direct injection engine. (Efficiencies of up to 43% can be reached).

The combustion engine units are based on standard Dieseil engines from MAN, Perkins and Deutz. To compensate for the different fuel characteristics (boiling temperature, viscosity, polymerisation..) of plant oils compared to Diesel fuel, a range of upgrades have to be done on the standard engine.

High reliability, relative low investment, high efficiency, minimal emissions and independence from conventional fossil fuel suppliers turn our system into one of the most effective units for renewable and remote energy production.

If the waste heat can be used (refer to CHP Multi fuel), the units become the preferred and cheapest option for a wide range of Power and Heat generation applications.

The fuel: Plant oil e.g. Palm-, Coconut-, Canola-, Mustard oil are common available in many countries and perfectly direct suitable for the multi-fuel engine. Used Cooking oil and animal fat may need treatment to meet the required fuel specification.

• Energy content compared to Diesel is 93-96% (based on volume)
• Boiling temperature: 80K higher than Diesel.
• Viscosity: 7-12 times higher than Diesel
• Polymerisation: Some plant fuels tend to high polymerisation
  

The energy: The calorific value of plant oil, used cooking oil and animal fats’ (tallow) are in the range of 32000-39000 kJ/kg. (e.g. Canola oil 35000kJ/kg)

The emission: Plant oil fuel Power Generation can be called CO2 neutral and does not add to the Green house effect.
Plant oil is stored sun energy!

The immediate combustion emissions behind the engine are minimized through appropriate emission systems including soot filter, SCR catalyst or oxidation catalyst. All international emission standards can be met.

The technical solution: Common direct injected Diesel engines reach combustion chamber edge temperatures of 350°C. The higher boiling temperature of plant oils produces consequently higher chamber edge temperatures. Many direct injecting Diesel engines will fail after a few thousand hours due to the temperature increase if plant oil is used.

A high alloyed tool steel piston material is used to compensate the temperature increase. Up to 700°C are possible.
For improved combustion characteristics, a special cylinder head design with high swirl can be used.
Pre heating devices and a single-jet nozzle within the injection system compensate the viscosity and polymerisation problems of plant oil fuels.

Engines with fuels with high viscosity start with a liquid fuel like Diesel before switching to the renewable fuel (plant oil) for continuous operation. At the shot down of the engine, the operation switches back to the liquid fuel to prevent polymerisation in the injection system.

The cost: Lowest investment cost per KW compare to any renewable technology. For example: Investment and service of a 360KWel CHP calculated over 10 years adds just approx. 3 US cents per kWh to the Power production bill.

Advantages:

Socioeconomic and Environmental Advantages

Locally produced plant oils (Coconut Oil, Palm Oil etc.) can be used as engine fuel, which means:

• Relative low investment (compared to Solar) makes a Community owned Power station possible.
• Money for Energy fuel stays within the community.
• Plant oil-fuel production for Power generation creates an additional source of income for rural communities and remote plant operations.
• CO2 neutral Power and Heat Generation.
• Low emissions through advanced exhaust systems.
• Plant oil is biodegradable if spilled into water or soil during transportation.

Used cooking oil or low grade fat (animal tallow) can be used at the site of production thereby avoiding transport and storage problems.

Technical Advantages

• Power and heat generation right at the spot where they are needed.
• Transmission losses can be prevented.
• State of the art control and grid feed safety.
• High Energy efficiency.
• Low Emission (CO2 Neutral).
• Reduction of environmental pollution through use of waste heat for heating / cooling.
• Low noise levels.
• Modular design is possible.
• Adjustment to variable power requirements is possible.
• Low maintenance expenditure.
• Engine can be used to drive other equipment like pumps

Flexibility and innovation

Flexibility and innovation combined with already established standards create a powerful tool in finding the optimal solution to your requirements. Such flexibility can also include the rebuilding of existing Diesel engines for plant oil use.

Retrofit of existing Diesel unit may be possible.

We can find our modules in many applications such as:

• Distributed Energy generation
• Hospitals
• Hotels
• Public baths
• Waste disposal plants
• Manufacturing plants
• ......

Sizes:
Multi fuel CHP units are available in of:
15 / 30 / 60 / 100 / 120 / 240 / 360 kW Electric standard sizes
Larger units are available on special request or as a combination of standard units.