sear Generator Fue, What Generator Fuels Best GENERATORJOE Thi a new pop-up window on top of your browser window CLICK TO CLOSE WINDOW GENERATOR FUEL - WHAT GENERATOR FUEL IS BEST? There are many advantages and disadvantages to different types of fuel. Nearly all Generators use either gasoline, diesel, natural gas or propane. The following information will hopefully answer any questions or concems you may have conceming different fuel sources. Some general features of the generator itself influence purchase decision. Where possible we indicted hardware and environmental differences in generator set types. You should consider all the factors shown. POSITIVE, NEGATIVE, GENERATOR FACTORS, are shown by the color of the features. Gasoline: | + Advantages: + Disadvantages: © Common fuel source - easily © Highly flammable obtained © Short shelf life of fuel © Increases portability of smaller (approximately 12 months) generators © Storing large quantities of fuel is hazardous © May not be available during power outages © Somewhat expensive fuel, check your local prices © Inefficient Diesel: * Advantages: * Disadvantages: © Least flammable fuel source © Fuel easily obtained (fuel is easier to obtain during a disaster because it is a necessary fuel for the military, trucking industry, and farming operations) © On site fuel delivery available © Engine life for liquid-cooled 1800 RPM engines can approach 20,000 hours if properly serviced depending on the application and environment, © High speed 3600 RPM diesel engines normally have @ 10,000 to 15,000 hour life expectancy with proper maintenance and service under most conditions hipihwwn goneraterjoe nethtmilgertuel it © 18-24 month shelf life, without additives © Installing large storage tanks raises cost of system © May not be available during power outages. © Diesel fuel storage must be considered relative to required run time in your geographical area. If you live in hurricane country you might need a large fuel tank due to the high possibility of extended power outages © Engine noise is higher on a diesel compared to a gaseous engine, Use of a properly designed enclosure and sound attenuation wsaranore Generator Fue, What Generator Fuels Best © Less expensive to operate. The general rule of thumb for fuel ‘consumption is 7% of the rated generator output (Example: 20 kW x 7% = 1.4 gallon per hour at full load), © Designed for off-road applications and can operate on dyed or farmiconstruction diesel fuel which is sold without the road tax and thus is considerably cheaper to purchase. © Engines designed to work under a load for long periods of time and perform better when worked hard rather than operated under light loads © Can operate in sub-artic conditions with fuel adcitive. © Equipment is competitively priced for a comparative sized water- cooled gaseous models with the same features. © In high use situations overall long term cost of operation is much lower than gaseous GenSets. Diesel Fuel Use system is more critical on a diesel engine system © Subject to "wet stacking" or over fueling if run for long periods of time with ultra light loads (less than 40% of the rated output). "Wet Stacking" causes the engine to smoke and run rough because the injectors become carbonized. Running a heavy load will usually clean up the over-fuel condition and allow the engine to perform normally. Diesel engines operate better and are more fuel efficient when loaded (70-80% is optimum). © Insensitive emission areas in some states diesel engines are prohibited from operating over a prescribed number of hours per year to help reduce pollution levels © Requires clean moisture free fuel and a bit more maintenance than a comparable gaseous unit; © Some cities and counties require the generator on-board fuel tanks to be double-wall containment type which can increase the cost of the generator system. © Typically heavier and require more planning to load and unload than a lightweight gaseous GonSet. Bio- Diesel: * Advantages: (Same as Diesel see above) © Least flammable fuel source © Easily obtained © Onsite fuel delivery available Bio-Diesel is a cleaner-buming diesel replacement fuel made from natural, renewable sources such as new and used vegetable oils and animal fats. Like petroleum diesel, Bio-Diesel ‘operates in compression-ignition engines. Blends of up to 20% Bio- Diesel (mixed with petroleum diesel fuels) can be used in nearly all diesel equipment and are ‘compatible with most storage and distribution equipment. These low hipihwwn goneraterjoe nethtmilgertuel it * Disadvantages: (Same as Diesel see above) © 18-24 month shelf life, without additives © Installing large storage tanks raises cost of system © May not be available during power outages © Obtaining oils and other fuels. © Mixing and maintaining proper percentage of oils/fuel arsaranore Generator Fue, What Generator Fuels Best level blends (20% and less) don't require any engine modifications and can provide the same payload capacity as diesel. Using Bio- Diesel in a conventional diese! ‘engine substantially reduces ‘emissions. Emulsified |» Advantages: (Same as Diesel see * Disadvantages: (Same as Diesel see Diesel: above) above) © Least flammable fuel source © 18-24 month shelf life, without © Easily obtained additives © Onsite fuel delivery available © Installing large storage tanks raises cost of system This is diesel that is mixed with a © May not be available during power ‘small percentage of water and an outages agent that keeps the water and © Obtaining oils and other fuels diesel mixed. By adding the water © Mixing and maintaining proper to the diesel a smaller amount percentage of waterifuel ‘emissions are created when the fuel is bumed. Propane:* |» Advantages: * Disadvantages: © Long she life © Pressurized cylinder of flammable “See © Clean burning gas Propane © Easily stored in both large tanks © Fuel system is more complicated or in smaller 5 - 10 gallon cylinders © Obtainable during power outages - gas stations may be unable to pump fuel during an area wide outage © Home delivery available for larger tanks © Quieter engine noise level More emission compliant © Gaseous engines do not have a problem with "wet stacking like diesels © Less expensive units with air- cooled engines are budget priced. © Engine life for liquid-cooled 1800 RPM engines can approach 5,000 to 6,000 hours on industrial quality gaseous GenSets hipihwwn goneraterjoe nethtmilgertuel it (increased possibilty of fallure) © Larger tanks are not aesthetically pleasing (unsightly) © Fuel system plumbing results in higher installation cost © Somewhat expensive fuel, check your local prices © Propane can become very dangerous if lines are broken. © Propane begins to derate around -20 degrees above zero © Initial cost of generator is somewhat higher, 15 to 20% especially in sizes larger than 30 KW. © More expensive to operate by as much as 3-times the fuel consumption compared to diesels; © Shorter life expectancy by a factor 01 10 to tfor air-cooled models and 3 to 1 for water-cooled models compared to diesel powered GenSets © Smaller air-cooled gaseous engines are less expensive than a7saranore Generator Fue, What Generator Fuels Best comparable diesels but have a short life expectancy as low as 500-hours depending on engine make and use © Shorter life than diesel engines Natural Gas: * Advantages: © Unlimited fuel source - refueling not necessary © Clean buming © More available during power outage. © Quieter engine noise level © More emission compliant © More convenient fuel source (natural gas) © Gaseous engines do not have a problem with "wet stacking like diesels © less expensive units with air- cooled engines are budget priced. Natural gas Is a mixture of hydrocarbons (mainly methane (CH4)) and is produced either from gas wells or in conjunction with crude oil production. Because of the gaseous nature of this fuel, it must be stored onboard a vehicle in either a compressed gaseous state (CNG) or more commonly as liquefied state (LNG). * Disadvantages: © May be unavailable during natural disasters (earthquakes, etc) © Lower power output (30% less BTU's per unit than gasoline. © Fuel system plumbing results in higher installation cost. © Fuel not available in many areas. © Natural gas (NG) begins to derate at +20 degrees above zero. © Initial cost of generator is somewhat higher, 15 to 20% especially in sizes larger than 30 KW. © More expensive to operate by as much as 3-times the fuel consumption compared to diesels; © Shorter life expectancy by a factor 0 10 to tfor air-cooled models and 3 to 1 for water-cooled models compared to diese! powered GenSets © Smaller air-cooled gaseous engines are less expensive than comparable diesels but have a short life expectancy as low as 500-hours depending on engine make and use. © Hurricanes and earthquakes can disrupt the flow of natural gas lines with up-rooted trees © Natural Gas can become very dangerous if lines are broken. SUMMARY OF FUEL FACTORS DIESEL & | NATURAL | VAPOR TIQUID FACTOR | GASOLINE |“ wixes Gas* PROPANE’ | PROPANE* EXCELLENT VARIES VARIES VARIES VARIES eMSer | MSRYICHESS! | (higher cost in | (low cost in small | dow cost in smal | (ow cost in small narket), small sizes) sizes) sizes) sizes) pear goneraterjoe nethtmilgeruel mt arteraore Generator Fue, What Generator Fuels Best FUEL SYSTEM | VARIES VARIES EXCELLENT MEDIUM MEDIUM INSTALLATION & {low cost in small (low cost in small| (ifgas service | (ifadequately | (if adequately STORAGE COST| sizes) sizes) | already available |sized tank already sized tank already at site) at site) at sito POOR FIRE & (highly MEDIUM MEDIUM PERSONNEL | ‘ammable, | gen lash pot) | (cara ieak nk) | (te leak or tank | (rare leak or tank SAFETY vapors explosion risk) | explosion risk) poisonous) POOR POOR ENVIRONMENTAL! (pillrsk. coin tok exhaust] EXCELLENT | EXCELLENT | EXCELLENT IMPACTS exhaust not not clean) | (Clean burning) | (clean buming) | (clean buming) clean) FUEL MEDIUM MEDIUM Perel MEDIUM MEDIUM AVAILABILITY (easy to _|(must be delivered) @ supply ust be delivered| must be delivered] purchase) & stored) | Teaived, supply |" stored & stored rarely lost COLD POOR MEDIUM tM | EXCELLENT STARTING & | (forms gum | (hard starting at | EXCELLENT | {tank must be (no tank OPERATION deposits) _|cold temperatures] large and full for aporization issue] vaporization) POORT MEDIUM LigNomar | (depends on | EXCELLENT MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM engine type) *See propane notes below. Gaseous fuels such as natural gas, vapor propane and liquid propane are the most common choice for small automatic standby generators. Propane engines are economical to build and these fuels provide good starting reliability and are in common use. These fuels are avallable everywhere. When purchasing a gaseous fueled GenSet you must remember the following Specify which kind of fuel you will be using when placing the order. If there is a mistake it may not be possible to convert a GenSet in the field between natural gas/vapor propane and liquid propane, It usually is possible to convert between natural gas and vapor propane however. If you order a GenSet for vapor propane it is sometimes set up at the factory for natural gas and must be converted in the field to vapor propane. The installation manual will describe the steps for this simple conversion which usually involves connecting a fuel line to another port or changing an orifice and a mixture setting. If you fail to make this conversion the GenSet will not run properly and may not start at all “A vapor propane system draws the fuel from the top of the tank usually through a pressure regulator at the tank. The liquid in the lower part of the tank must be able to absorb sufficient heat from the tank surroundings for vaporization to take place. Therefore, it is important that the tank has enough exposed surface area for this heat transfer. There can be a problem of insufficient fuel flow in very cold weather or ifthe tank is less than half full oris too small. In practice this only is an issue in the far northem areas of the USA. “A liquid propane system draws the liquid from the bottom of the tank and small high pressure tubing is used to cany it to the GenSet. The GenSet is then equipped with a special device to vaporize the fuel before combustion. This eliminates the low temperature vaporization concems at the tank in cold climates. However it may complicate using propane for other appliances since it is being supplied in liquid form to the point of use. Fuel Preference by Geography and General Use Place Use Preference ‘Avoid or Reasons Pacific Time Zone _ [Residential |Propane, Diesel Ranch [Diesel, Propane ‘Avoid Natural Gas due to earthquakes Industrial | Diesel, Propane, NG phew goneraterjoe nethtrilgertuel mt 87teraore Generator Fue, What Generator Fuels Best Mountain Time Zone [Residential | Propane, Diesel Propane preferred in mountain areas, Ranch __|Diesel, Propane Diesel preferred on ranches and farms for duel use. Industrial [Diesel, NG, Propane Central Time Zone __ [Residential NG, Propane, Diesel Ranch |Diesel, Propane Industrial | Diesel, NG, Propane Natural Gas very dependable in these time zones Eastern Time Zone _ [Residential |NG, Propane, Diesel Ranch _|Diesel, Propane Industrial | Diesel, NG, Propane Six Classes of Fuel Oil Fuel oil in the United States is classified into six classes, according to its boiling temperature, composition and purpose, The boiling point, ranging from 175 to 600 °C, and carbon chain length, 20 to 70 atoms, of the fuel increases with number. Viscosity also increases with fuel oil number and the heaviest oil has to be heated to get, it to flow. Price usually decreases as the fuel number increases. No. 1 fuel oil, No. 2 fuel oil and No. 3 fuel oil are referred to as distillate fuel oils, diesel fuel oils, light fuel oils, gasoil or just distillate. For example, No. 2 fuel oil, No. 2 distillate and No. 2 diesel fuel cil are almost the same thing. Diesel is different in that it also has a cetane number limit which describes the ignition quality of the fuel. Distillate fuel oils are distilled from crude oil Gas oil refers to the process of distillation. The oil is heated, becomes a gas and then condenses. It differentiates distillates from residual oil (RFO). No. 1 is similar to kerosene and is the fraction that boils off right after gasoline. No. 2 diesel is the diesel that trucks and some cars run on, leading to the name "road diesel” Heating oil is the same as No. 2 Diesel without dye. No. 3 fuel oil is a distillate fuel oil and is sometimes used for large trucks and power generation but it is rare, No. 4 fuel oil is usually a blend of distillate and residual fuel Gils, such as No, 2 and 6, however, sometimes itis just a heavy distillate, No. 4 may be classified as diesel, distillate or residual fuel ol, No. 5 fuel oil and No. 6 fuel oil are called residual fuel oils (RFO) or heavy fuel oils. As far more No. 6 than No. 5 is produced, the terms heavy fuel oll and residual fuel oil are sometimes used as synonyms for No. 6. They are what remains of the crude oil after gasoline and the distillate fuel oils are extracted through distillation, No. 5 fuel oil is a mixture of No, 6 (about 75-80%) with No, 2, No, 6 may also contain a small amount of No. 2 to get it to meet specifications. Residual fuel oils are sometimes called light when they have been mixed with distillate fuel oil, while distillate fuel oils are called heavy when they have been mixed with residual fuel oil, Heavy gas oil, for example, is a distillate that contains residual fuel oil. The ready availability of very heavy grades of fuel oil is often due to the success of catalytic cracking of fuel to release more valuable fractions and leave heavy residue. The US nomenclature is used in most of the world. In the United Kingdom the classes comprise 6 commonly used fuels using alphabetical designations, from Class C1 (kerosene) to Class G (heavy fuel oil). There is a Class H designation which is not yet in general use. The characteristics of these oils are specified in British Standard BS2869:1998 - soon to be updated to BS2869:2006, Table of Fuel Oils Name. Alias Alias Type Chain Length No. 1 fuel oil [No. 1 distillate No. 1 diesel fuel Distillate 46 No. 2 fuel oil [No. 2 distillate No. 2 diesel fuel or heating oil [Distillate 10-20 No. 3 fuel oil [No. 3 distillate No. 3 diesel fuel Distillate No. 4 fuel oil [No, 4 distillate No. 4 residual fuel oil Distillate/Residual [12-70 5 fuel oil 5 residual fuel oil [Heavy fuel oil Residual 6 fuel oil [No, 6 residual fuel oll Residual Heavy fuel oil phew goneraterjoe nethtmilgeruel mtsaranore Generator Fue, What Generator Fuels Best Marine Classification for Fuel Oils MGO (Marine gasoil) Roughly equivalent to No. 2 fuel oil, made from distillate only MDO (Marine diesel oil) [A blend of gasoil and heavy fuel oil LFO (Light fuel oil) [A blend of gasoil and heavy fuel oil with very little gasol than marine diesel oil IFO (Intermediate fuel oil)| [A blend of gasoil and heavy fuel oll, with less gasoil than marine diesel oll MFO (Medium fuel oil) [A blend of gasoil and heavy fuel oll, with less gasoil than intermediate fuel oil HFO (Heavy fuel oil) Pure or nearly pure residual oil, roughly equivalent to No. 6 fuel oil For additional information see: Fuel Energy Content and Conversions Generator Uses and Diesel Types Tables, Conversions and Formulas Copyright © 1999-2014 Generatorlos Inc. & Generatordoe®: All Rights Reserved This is a new pop-up window on top of your browser window. phew goneraterjoe nethtilgertuel it CLICK TO CLOSE WINDOW W