Alternative Fuel Infrastructure: Strategies for Getting Your Fleet Access to Alternative Fuel
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
Transcript of Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
Alternative (Low Energy)
Fuel Applications
Mike Fenton
Michigan CAT Power Systems
810-348-4020
One company.™ A multitude of solutions.
Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
Agenda
• Fuel
• Engine considerations
• Site operations
• Conclusion
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
Low Energy fuels have four major characteristics
– Quality (how “Good” is the fuel?)
– Quantity (how much fuel is there?)
– Consistency (How is the fuel changing?)
– Purity (quantity and type contaminants?)
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Quality – LHV Determined with
fuel sampling and the
CAT Methane Number
Program
– Used to determine
engine technologies
LEKQ6378
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
Why is quality important?
– Standard fuels like Diesel and Pipeline Natural are refined fuel
designed to be clean and consistent.
– This is not the case for Alternative fuels
– As a result, no two sites will share the same fuel characteristics,
even within the same application.
– Because of the nature of the source processes, these fuel
characteristics will change over time.
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Quantity
– Determined by source
– Usually expressed in a volumetric rate
(scf/day)
– Ideally expressed in an energy rate (Btu/min)
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Quantity – Used to select engine
size
– Used in the project
financial planning
(Energy produced)
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
Why is quantity important?
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Consistency
– Energy rate of change over time (X Btus/hr)
– Again a function of fuel source
– Will change over the life of a project
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Why is consistency important? – Understanding can be difficult. May require historical
sampling, predictive analysis, and collection system
control
– Used to drive engine
selection and Platform
– May also drive
additional controls
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Purity (Contaminants)
– Includes simple dirt and water, but alternative
fuel may also contain H2S, Silicon, Halides,
Ammonia
– Often expressed in volumetric concentration
(ppmv)
– Ideally expressed as mass per energy (µg/Btu)
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Why is purity important
– Significant effect on
O&M costs
– May also drive the
need for additional fuel
treatment
– Where do I put my
money?
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
Understanding the fuel is the critical success
factor when applying gas engines.
• Rating
• Engine selection (controls)
• Operation and Maintenance
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
What engine do I choose?
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
Not all engines are created equal
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Engine Design – Hardened materials
– Fuel system
– Electronic controls
– Cooling system temperatures
– Fuel treatment
– After treatment?
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Emissions
– Federal law (NSPS,
RICE NESHAP)
– Local Law (State, City,
AQB)
– Attainment vs. Non-
attainment
– Most difficult piece
– Experts…worth $$$$$
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Efficiency
– Thermal, electrical
– Sounds great
– Important
– Effect?
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Reliability and availability
– Uptime percentage
– Parts availability
– Serviceability
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Site Operations
– Plan for it NOW!
– Who, what, where, when, why, how
– Endless structure possibilities
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
• Site Operations
– Most successful sites are self managed
– Equipment supplier is back stop
– Parts inventory onsite
– Trained professionals
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Alternative (Low Energy) Fuel Applications
Thank you
Mike Fenton
Michigan CAT Power Systems
810-348-4020