Sunday, September 16, 2012

Marine Photo Contest by Cummins




Prize Details

Features : 9.7 Retina Display; 2048 × 1536 Resolution Apple iOS 5; Dual-Core A5X Chip with Quad-Core Graphics 5 Megapixel iSight Camera; 1080p Video Recording Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n); 16 GB Capacity Up to 10 Hours of Battery Life; 1.44 lbs

Prize Eligibility : Only persons who are at least 18 years of age can enter.

Contest Starts:   August 15, 2012 @ 12:00 am (CDT)

Contest Ends:    October 15, 2012 @ 11:59 pm (CDT)

About the Company
Cummins Power Generation is a world leader in the design and manufacture of power generation equipment, including PowerCommand standby and prime power systems. We also provide single–source warranty, planned maintenance, and round–the–clock emergency service 24 hours a day, seven days a week including back–up power rental through our network of distributors.

Cummins Generator Technologies previews upcoming AvK range for marine and harsh environments



At the SMM Hamburg exhibition in Germany, customers and potential customers had their first chance to see a new range of robust AvK generators under development by Cummins Generator Technologies. The new range, scheduled for availability next year, is being specially designed for marine and harsh environment applications. Market leading weight, size and efficiency ratings will establish the product as a leader within its field.

To meet the challenges of marine and harsh environments, the new range features a low voltage 4-pole robust, bar wound design, and will be compliant with marine industry classifications. The new units are predicted to provide an estimated power range of 1500 kVA to 3400 kVA at 50 Hz and 1800 kVA to 4100 kVA at 60 Hz and voltages between 400 V and 690 V with insulation class H as standard. A unique modular design construction and a range of options will allow flexibility to suit typical marine and harsh environment applications, including an air to water cooler, rolling element or sleeve bearing options and Ingress Protection ratings SOLAS IP23 and IP54.

Availability is expected late 2013. Further variations of the new range will be announced over the coming months. Prime Power, Grid Code Compliant and Oil & Gas versions, including medium and high voltage, are all under development.

From: cumminspower.com

Case study details Cummins role in Broadcrown biogas combined heat and power project


A new case study highlights the role that Cummins Energy Solutions Business and Cummins Generator Technologies played in the implementation of a biogas combined heat and power solution for a major sewage treatment works in London, UK. Cummins QSV91 lean-burn gas engines are at the heart of three Broadcrown generator sets that provide power to a sewage treatment works while simultaneously providing heat for the site’s processes.

Broadcrown is a leading UK independent manufacturer of power generators and generation systems from 6 kVA through to +30 MVA. It was Broadcrown’s task to design and supply a cogeneration solution to Riverside Sewage Treatment Works, owned and operated by utility company Thames Water.

The project was innovative and sophisticated. As well as renovating four existing digesters, the work also involved the provision of a Thermal Hydrolysis Plant, fed by high-temperature steam from a boiler heated by the biogas engines’ exhausts. Broadcrown’s design for the project also involved fire protection through a water mist system, jacket water heat recovery, a full header tank system, standby generators and a control system to interface with the site-wide power management system.

Three Broadcrown Combined Heat and Power generator sets were installed, each equipped with Cummins QSV91 lean-burn gas engines and Cummins Generator Technologies STAMFORD ® alternators. All three Broadcrown units were housed in custom-designed acoustic enclosures, built on site.

From: cumminspower.com

Synchronizing Generator (Paralleling)


What is Paralleling ??
- Make two or more small gensets work together and act like one BIG genset.
- Power available is the sum of all the machines in the system.

Generator sets can be paralleled to other generator sets or the utility. To operate in parallel, both units must match phase sequence, voltage, frequency, manage neutral currents, operate with the same frequency directional rotation and produce almost exact sine waves. Only after these conditions are met can the units be connected together by a breaker.

Why Parallel Gensets ??
- More Reliability
- More Performance
- Cost Effectiveness

Don't Parallel when :
- Existing gensets not compatible with new.
- Loads can't be split and controlled.
- Gensets are very small (under 300kW)

From: Cummins Power Generation, Caterpillar

What is Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) ??


Automatic Transfer Switch or ATS is a device that transfers electrical loads between two dissimilar sources of power by using either automatic or manual controls, ATS are most commonly use by facilities with a standby power system and a single utility feed. The transfer switch senses when utility power has been lost, send a start signal to the standby generator and transfer the load.


Transfer Modes
- Open Transition (Break-before make switching action)
- Closed Transition (Make-before-break switching action)

From: Cummins Power Generation


Thursday, September 13, 2012

Type of Fuel Tank (For Generator Application)


Day tanks: Tanks at or near the generator set from which the generator set draws its fuel are called day tanks (although they do not necessarily contain sufficient fuel for a day’s operation). These are used as a convenience or when it is not practical to draw directly from the primary fuel storage system. The distance to, the height above or below, or the size of the primary tank are reasons for using a day tank. All diesel engines have limitations as to fuel lift capability (or fuel draw restriction), fuel head pressure (both supply and return) and fuel supply temperature. The fuel is transferred from the primary tank to the day tank using a transfer pump often controlled by an automatic system utilizing level sensors in the day tank. If the tank is small, the fuel return is pumped back into the primary fuel tank to avoid overheating of the fuel.

Sub–base tanks: Usually larger than day tanks, these tanks are either built into the base frame of the generator set or constructed so that the generator set chassis can be mounted directly onto it. These tanks hold an amount of fuel for a specified number of hours of operation such as 12 or 24 hour sub–base tank. Sub–base tanks are often dual–wall, incorporating a secondary tank around the fuel container for the purpose of fuel containment in case of a primary tank leak. Many local regulations require secondary fuel containment such as dual–wall construction along with full monitoring of primary and secondary containers.

From - Application Manual – Liquid Cooled Generator Sets (Cummins Power Generation)

Environmental Considerations (Fire Protection)


In North America, fire protection regulations typically adopt or reference one or more of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. These standards cover such requirements for indoor fuel storage capacity, fuel piping systems, the design and construction of fuel tanks, fuel tank locations, diking, and/or safe drainage provisions. Refer to NFPA Standard No. 37, Installation of Stationary Engines. Local fire authorities may have more restrictive requirements or interpretations of requirements than those in the national standards.

From - Application Manual – Liquid Cooled Generator Sets (Cummins Power Generation)

Environmental Considerations (Fuel Storage Regulations)


Fuel supply tank design and installation in many areas is controlled by regulations that are generally written for two separate purposes: environmental protection and fire protection. Because the regulations, their enforcement and exemptions from regulation vary by location, it is necessary to research and understand local requirements.

In North America, environmental protection regulations generally exist at both federal and state levels. Different sets of regulations apply to underground vs. aboveground fuel storage tanks. These regulations cover design and construction standards, registration, tank testing, and leak towards third party certified above ground dual– wall sub–base tanks with leak detection and overfill protection.

Fuel Tank with Hand Pump

From - Application Manual – Liquid Cooled Generator Sets (Cummins Power Generation)


Environmental Considerations (Engine Exhaust Emissions Regulations)


Generator sets, regardless of application, may be subject to engine exhaust emissions regulations on a local or national level or both. Compliance with emissions regulations usually requires special permits. Certain localities may have specific designations requiring gaseous–fueled engines and/or exhaust after–treatment strategies for diesels. Check with the local air quality agency early in the design phase of any project for permitting requirements.

From - Application Manual – Liquid Cooled Generator Sets (Cummins Power Generation)

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Environmental Considerations (Noise & Noise Treatment)


Noise treatment, if required, needs to be considered early in the preliminary design. Generally, noise treatment methods will add a considerable cost and increase the physical area required for the installation. A generator set is a complex noise source that includes the cooling fan noise, the engine noise, and the exhaust noise. Effective noise treatment has to address all of these sources of noise. For the most part, the recommended noise treatment methods modify or redirect the path for the noise from the generator set source to people hearing it. Simply using a critical grade muffler may or may not do anything to reduce the noise level at a specific location.

Because noise is directional, careful consideration needs to be given to the location, orientation, and distance of the generator set with respect to property lines or places where the noise may be objectionable.

Compliance with noise regulations requires an understanding of the ambient noise level and the resultant noise level with the generator set running at full load in that ambient. Noise regulations also exist to protect worker’s hearing. Persons working in generator rooms should always wear ear protection while a generator set is running.

From - Application Manual – Liquid Cooled Generator Sets (Cummins Power Generation)

How to Calculated Load Factor


Load factor of a generator set is used as one criterion for rating a genset. It is calculated by finding the product of various loads:

Load Factor = % of time x % of load

% of time = time at specific load / total operating time

% of load = specific load / rated load

Extended idling time and the time when the generator set is not operating does not enter into the calculation for load factor.

For example, assume a facility has a genset rated at 550 kW and runs it two hours a week. During those two hours, it runs at 400 kW for 1.5 hours. Find the load factor.

The formulas reveal the following

% of load = 400kW/ 550kW = 0.73

% of time = 90 min / 120 min = 0.75

Load Factor = 0.73 x 0.75 = 54.75%

From: Electric Power Applications, Engine & Generator Sizing (Caterpillar)

Generator Set Rating


Power rating definitions for generator sets are based on typical load factor, hours of use per year, peak demand and application use. Normally genset ratings are listed.

- Standby Rating
  Typical usage 200 hours per year with varying loads. Average variable load factor is 70% of Standby rating. No overload is available. Not for maintained utility paralleling applications.

- Prime Rating
  Unlimited hours of usage with varying loads. Average variable load factor is 70% of the Prime power rating. 10% overload limited to 1 in 12 hours but not to exceed 25 hours per year. The 10% overload is available in accordance with ISO 3046.

- Continuous Rating
  Unlimited hours of usage. Nonvarying load factor is 70% to 100% of the published Continuous Power.
Typical peak demand is 100% of continuous rating for 100% of operating hours.

Caterpillar and Cummins Power Generation are explanations the ratings almost the same.

Otherwise Cummins Power Generation recommend that a generator set be operated at a minimum of 30% of its nameplate rating. As my experience for many generator that exercise no load or lightly loaded every week that may have lube oil leak from the cylinder and said to "Slobber" This is not conducive to long life and good performance.

Adapted from - Application Manual – Liquid Cooled Generator Sets (Cummins Power Generation), Electric Power Applications, Engine & Generator Sizing (Caterpillar)