DEVELOPMENT OF SMART CONTROLLER MODEL FOR DUAL FUEL GENERATOR SYSTEMS

Abstract

Application of dual fuel powered electric generators such as one of diesel and biogas has  gained  popularity  locally  both  as  emergency  power  supply  units  and  in distributed power systems. Dual fuel generators use two fuel types simultaneously in  their  operations.  This  is  however  faced  with  challenges  in  control  and  fuel regulation since their operation must be economically feasible and convenient. To achieve  this,  an  intelligent  controller  that  regulates  generator  operations  is necessary. This research work, set to determine operation characteristic of these generators and fuel‐load relationship of the dual fuel engines in order to design a control system for a dual fuel power generator system. Generator characteristics such as fuel consumption on various loads were obtained through experiments; it was found that injection of biogas in diesel engine saves diesel consumption by approximately 30% on low load and 60% on high load.   The presented model switches the generator when needed and adjusts biogas inlet in steps proportional to the load. It works by monitoring load, injecting a small volume of biogas for loads below 10% and increasing it as the load increases to maximum possible volume for load above 80%. The model was tested through simulation  of  the  obtained  data  on  a  Siemens  ™  micro  Logic  controller demonstrating a solution to control challenges. This model logic for control and offers advanced logic  electronic control for local  applications. It is  essential in providing a versatile solution for a middle sized diesel biogas dual fuel power generator control.