Experience in the Development of Valve Diesel-Generator Sets with Variable Rotation Frequency

Abstract

Most diesel generators (DGs) in stand-alone electric power plants operate in accordance with a regulatory characteristic with a constancy of rotation frequency in a wide range of load changing. This has a number of negative consequences, including increased fuel and lubricant consumption. The traditional method of solving the problem, which consists in increasing the number of DGs or using generators with different power, increases the equipment cost and decreases weight–dimension factors. Another solution is related to regulation of DGs by a characteristic that is optimal in terms of the criterion of fuel and lubricant consumption, when the rotation frequency depends on load. DGs can operate with a variable rotation frequency when the generator is equipped with a semiconductor converter and the valve operation mode is implemented. Using valve DGs in stand-alone electric power plants makes it possible to apply generator sets with equal power and reduces their number. The results of experimental studies of a valve DG operating at a variable rotation frequency as part of stand-alone ship electric power plant are presented in the work.