CONTACT:
Charles Roberts
Spark Ignition Engines
(210) 522-5521
E-mail: Charles Roberts

KEY TERMS:
engine development
engine testing
performance testing
performance
development
engine benchmarking
valve deposits
pleasure boats
ultra low emissions
small engine
generator set testing

Spark Ignition Engines Project Brief Generator Power Plant Evaluation

Reference:  03-5292-036

Client:         Commercial Engine Manufacturer

Duration:     Eighteen Months

This program assessed the effectiveness of 140-450 kW generator sets in three areas: (1) transient response to load step changes, (2) cold start-up response, and (3) motor starting capacity. Evaluation results were based on the overall performance of the engine, engine governor, and generator voltage regulator. Both resistive and inductive load banks were used to obtain power factors of 1 and 0.8 at 50 and 60 Hz.

Transient response was evaluated by adding and removing loads in increments that ranged from 25 to 100 percent of rated generator output. At each load change, recordings were made of maximum and minimum voltage, frequency deviation, and the time required to restabilize within given tolerances.

The generator set was evaluated to determine how quickly nominal voltage and frequency could be obtained during rapid cold start-up. Peak voltage and frequency were recorded as well as the time span from start of cranking until the engine reached steady-state conditions. The procedure permitted analysis of peak values, stabilized cold values, and the warm-up stabilization time requirement.

To evaluate the generator set motor starting capacity, motors of increasing size were started until a specified voltage dip at the generator output was reached. The starting capacity of each generator set was then presented as a data graph of voltage dip versus motor size.

Please browse this web site to see the full capabilities and experience of SwRI and the Engine, Emissions & Vehicle Research Division. Then give us an opportunity to become an extension of your engineering department. E-mail Charles Roberts or call him at (210) 522-5521 for more information.

  
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Southwest Research Institute^® (SwRI^®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 11 technical divisions.