Why is the cooling system of a diesel generator set important? How does it work?

The cooling system is an important system of diesel generator set, its role is to ensure that the diesel generator works in the most suitable temperature range, about 30% of the energy entering the engine is used to drive other machinery to run to do work. About 8% of the heat generated by the fuel is lost through heat dissipation, and about 31% is discharged through the exhaust system. The remaining 31% is taken away by the cooling system. If all of the above is working correctly, then the diesel generator will be at its most efficient temperature. If the temperature of the diesel generator is too high, then various failures will occur

 

The cooling system is an important system of the diesel generator set, and its role is to ensure that the diesel generator works in the most appropriate temperature range. About 30% of the energy entering the engine is used to drive other machinery to run and do work. About 8% of the heat generated by the fuel is lost through heat dissipation, and about 31% is discharged through the exhaust system. The remaining 31% is taken away by the cooling system. If all of the above is working correctly, then the diesel generator will be at its most efficient temperature. If the temperature of the diesel generator is too high, then various failures can occur. For example, parts overheat, which can lead to a loss of metal strength; excessive stress between engine parts, which can lead to increased friction and cause excessive wear.

 

If the temperature of the diesel generator is too low, then various failures will occur. For example, poor fuel economy and inefficient combustion process; increased carbon accumulation; when fuel enters the engine, it will condense, resulting in excessive carbon accumulation on the intake valves. A low temperature engine will enhance the accumulation of sludge and carbon, causing power loss. If the combustion process is inefficient, then power output will be reduced; incomplete fuel combustion and serious environmental pollution.

 

Heat always moves from a hot object to a cold object, and the cooling system works on the principle of heat transfer. There are three ways of heat transfer: conduction, convection and radiation. Conduction is the transfer of heat between two solid objects. For example, heat is transferred from a valve stem to a valve guide. Since both objects are solid, heat is transferred by conduction from the hot valve stem to the cold valve tube. Another example is the transfer of heat by conduction from the valve guide to the cylinder head.

 

Heat can be transferred by convection. Convection is the heat transfer through the circulation of the hot part of the liquid or gas. By convection, heat from the hot cylinder is transferred to the coolant. Convection also occurs when the hot radiator parts transfer heat to the surrounding cold air.

 

Radiation is one way of heat transfer. Radiation is heat transfer by converting thermal energy into radiant energy. Any hot object emits radiation, and the hotter the object, the more radiant energy it emits. When the engine is hot, some heat is converted to radiation, about 8%. The cooling system relies on these principles to remove excess heat from the engine. For example, when a person is close to a heat source object such as a running engine, he or she is not close but already feels that the engine is hot, which has the cause of heat radiation.

 

In order to make the unit engine work in the best condition, there must be a cooling system, two types of cooling systems are commonly used: air (air) cooling system, liquid (water) cooling system, corresponding to the air-cooled engine and liquid-cooled engine.