Feasibility of Conversion from Diesel Engine to Natural Gas Power Plants
Moses Jeremiah Barasa Kabeyi, Oludolapo Akanni Olanrewaju
Abstract
Diesel power plants use diesel engine prime movers powered mainly by heavy fuel oil or diesel fuel and with potential for conversion to gas engines or dual fuel engines. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of converting diesel engines to dual fuel engine. Natural gas is an attractive substitute to diesel and heavy fuel oil since it is cleaner, more efficient and cheaper. The conversion of a conventional diesel engine to dual fuel engine requires of the fuel injection system, reduction in air to fuel ratio, and reduction of compression ratio. The main challenges of the conversion to dual fuel diesel power plants are the cost of downtime to carry out the conversion hence lost generation, delayed transition to zero carbon emissions by advancing the use of natural gas, safety risks from use of natural gas and negative impact of methane emissions and other greenhouse gases associated with natural gas combustion. Co-combustion with biofuels and use of bio methane can assist in mitigating emissions from dual fuel diesel power plants.