An integrated diesel gen-set control system with pre-emptive fuelling and proactive load relief

Diesel generating set load acceptance performance has deteriorated in recent years due to a number of influencing factors. Market forces have demanded that a higher power output is achieved for a given engine displacement, whilst global concern and awareness of climate change has led to the introduction of increasingly stringent emissions legislation. In order to provide satisfactory load acceptance performance, whilst maintaining compliance with the growing restrictions placed on operation, more sophisticated control and protection features are required than would be provided with the traditional standby diesel gen-set package. Presently, diesel gen-set control involves limited interaction between the automatic . voltage regulator (AVR) and engine speed governor, causing issues to arise due to the absence of a co-ordinated control scheme. For example, in the event of a large real power load application, a fast responding AVR can cause excessive engine speed deviation, which may be unacceptable in some applications. The problem is further exacerbated by the introduction of fuel limiting as a method of achieving emissions compliance, restricting the action of the engine speed governor during a transient. This has prompted the research to investigate integration of the various components of a modern diesel gen-set control system. A co-ordinated control approach, in which the AVR aids transient engine speed recovery, has therefore been developed. Testing and evaluation of the integrated diesel gen-set control system was conducted on diesel gen-sets in the Queen's University of Belfast test facility. A number of different integrated control configurations were evaluated to determine the available ifTIprovement in diesel gen set load acceptance performance. The thesis presents results showing that, by utilising a co-ordinated control strategy, a significant overall improvement in the maximum initial load application is achieved, thus meeting market expectation whilst remaining fully emissions compliant. Supplied by The British Library - 'The world's knowledge'EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo