When to use diesel generators, how they work and what fuels can be used?

When to use diesel generators?

Diesel generators are machines that are used mostly when there is a need for reliable power. This usually occurs when there is shortage of electricity and during the events of power outages and blackouts. Depending on the application, diesel generators can be used to provide electricity as a primary source or a secondary source.

Primary Source Applications

Usually diesel generators are used as a primary source of power when electricity is required in remote areas and there is no access to the mains. Some of the cases are listed as below:

1. Agricultural Farm/ Machinery: Running an agricultural farm or machinery from Diesel Generator when there is no connection;
2. Telecom Tower: Operating a telecom tower in the remote area and deserts for the communication and satellite purposes; and
3. Oil and Gas: Running machinery and different devices in oil and gas areas which have limited or no supply of electricity.

Secondary Source Applications

Diesel generators are used as secondary source mostly in the following applications:

1. Blackouts: Generally, blackout occurs where there is change of weather or during a natural disaster. In these situations, people do not have access to electricity which means there is no light and no power to run different equipment and devices. Therefore, it is preferred to install diesel generator as a backup, so that during a calamity, businesses may not get affected.
2. Shortage of Electricity: Another application where diesel generators are used as a secondary source is when companies are in the remote areas and have limited supply of electricity. If their businesses contain operations that depends on electricity such as in farms and agriculture, then they would face shortage of electricity supply. Therefore, it is preferred to obtain a diesel generator as a backup. So that when required, diesel generators can provide with the required electricity and ensuring that the operations are running smoothly.

How do generators creates electricity?

Diesel generators are powerful machines that converts chemical energy contained within fuel to mechanical energy that is later transformed into electrical energy.

In brief, air is blown into the generator and is compressed. The compressed air mixes with diesel fuel injected through valves that results in the combustion cycle under which Intake, Compression, Power and Exhaust takes place.

The mechanical energy rotates crankshaft and camshaft of the diesel generator to whom the wires are connected in a magnetic field.

 When the engine spins over continuously, the set of pulleys connected to the crankshaft turns the pulleys attached to the alternator and in this way,  alternator is also powered up. The alternator which is set to specific rpm, hertz and other pre-configured settings than creates the electricity.

This electricity is then transferred to operate the equipment either through hot wire connection or the installed sockets. As per the customer requirement, Gogopower can always install and configure sockets in the diesel generator before it gets delivered.

What types of fuel do generator need?

There are several types of generators available in the market that can run from petrol, natural gas or diesel. However, it is Diesel fuel which is cost effective, much safe and gives better efficiency when compared to other fuels.

Gogopower stocks a range of generators that are diesel operated. Although modern day technologies allow diesel to be combined with other fuel such as biofuel but Gogopower strongly recommends confirming this information with the supplier or manufacturer.

Because if biofuel diesel is used in the engine that is not compatible, it will prevent the diesel generator to work and will halt the operations. As well, it is an expensive and long process to drain out non-compatible fuel from engine, tank & the fuel lines and then replacing it with the right one.