Abstract:
This report explains about the power plant which is use the diesel engine as the prime
mover. This power plant need to output electric energy. Generally, it is used for heavy
duty vehicles. It can also be used for power generation, pumping of water etc. A
generating station in which diesel engine is used as the prime mover for the generation
of electrical energy is known as Diesel Power Plant. Diesel power plant is a non-
renewable energy resource. Diesel power plants produce power in the range of 2 to
50MW.The diesel burns inside the engine and the products of this combustion act as the
working fluid to produce mechanical energy. The diesel engine drives alternator which
converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. As the generation cost is
considerable due to high price of diesel, therefore, such power stations are only used to
produce small power. Although steam power stations and hydro-electric plants are
invariably used to generate bulk power at cheaper costs. Yet diesel power stations are
finding favour at places where demand of power is less, sufficient quantity of coal and
water is not available and the transportation facilities are inadequate. This plants are
also standby sets for continuity of supply to important points such as hospitals, radio
stations, cinema houses and telephone exchanges.
Description:
Diesel engine power plant is suitable for small and medium outputs. It is used as central power
station for smaller power supplies and as a standby plant to hydro-electric power plants and
steam power plants.
The diesel power plants are commonly used where fuel prices or reliability of supply favors oil
over coal, where water supply is limited, where loads are relatively small, and where electric
line service is unavailable or is available at too high rates. Diesel power plants in common use
have capacities up to about 5 MW.
The below figure shows various parts of an I.C. engine. The cylinder is the main body of the
engine where in direct combustion of fuel takes place. The cylinder is stationary and the piston
reciprocates inside it. The connecting rod transmits the force given by the piston to the crank,
causing it to turn and thus convert the reciprocating motion of the piston into rotary motion of
the crankshaft.
