Why are diesel generator sets widely used? What are its advantages?

Diesel generator sets are power generation equipment powered by diesel engines. In recent years, the market share of diesel generator sets has become higher and higher, and they are widely used in communications, mining, construction, forest areas, farmland irrigation, field construction and national defense engineering. In various fields, compared with the commonly used steam turbine generator sets, hydraulic turbine generator sets, gas turbine generator sets, atomic power generator sets and other power generation equipment, diesel generator sets have the following advantages:

 

       1. There are many capacity levels for a single machine.

       The single-unit capacity of diesel generator sets is several to tens of thousands of kilowatts. At present, the largest single-unit capacity of domestic units is several thousand kilowatts. It is used as the single unit capacity of emergency generator sets and backup generator sets for post and telecommunications, high-rise buildings, industrial and mining enterprises, and military facilities. When diesel generator sets are used as emergency and backup power sources, one or more units can be used, and the installed capacity can be flexibly configured according to actual needs.

 

       2. The supporting equipment has compact structure and flexible installation location.

       The supporting equipment of diesel generator set is relatively simple, with few auxiliary equipment, small size and light weight. Compared with hydraulic turbines that need to build dams, and steam turbines that need to be equipped with boilers, fuel reserves and water treatment systems, diesel generators have a small footprint, fast construction, and low investment costs. Commonly used generator sets are mostly configured independently, while standby generator sets or emergency generator sets are generally used in conjunction with power transformation and distribution equipment. Because the unit generally does not operate in parallel with the municipal power grid, and the unit does not need sufficient water source [the cooling water consumption of the diesel engine is 34~82L/(kW.h), which is only 1/10 of that of the steam turbine generator set], and it occupies an area of The area is small, so the installation location of the unit is more flexible.

 

       3. High thermal efficiency and low fuel consumption.

       The effective thermal efficiency of diesel engine is 30%~46%, the thermal efficiency of high pressure steam turbine is about 20%~40%, and the thermal efficiency of gas turbine is about 20%~30%. It can be seen that the effective thermal efficiency of the diesel engine is relatively high, so its fuel consumption is low.

 

       4. It starts quickly and can reach full power quickly.

       The starting of the diesel engine generally only takes a few seconds, and it can be brought to full load within 1 minute in emergency state; it can be brought to full load within about 5~30 minutes under normal working conditions, while the steam power plant generally needs to be started from start to full load. 3~4h. The shutdown process of the diesel engine is also very short, and it can start and stop frequently. So diesel generator sets are very suitable as emergency generator sets or backup generator sets.

 

       5. The maintenance operation is simple, the required operators are few, and the maintenance during the standby period is easy.

 

       6. The comprehensive cost of construction and power generation of diesel generator sets is the lowest.

       The diesel engine in the diesel generator set is generally a four-stroke, water-cooled, high-speed internal engine, which burns non-renewable diesel. Nevertheless, compared with hydropower, wind power, solar power and other renewable energy power generation, as well as nuclear power and thermal power generation, diesel generator sets have very obvious advantages, that is, the construction of diesel generator sets and the comprehensive cost of generators are relatively low.