DG301 - Diesel Generator Fundamentals

3 days - 1.9 Continuing Education Units Awarded

This course is of great benefit to operators, technicians, and engineers who are responsible for ensuring the availability of their diesel-generators. The intent is to provide the participant with a broad knowledge base all aspects of a diesel-generator.  The course begins by providing a basic description of the operation of a diesel engine.  This basic description includes the engine construction, part identification, description of the Otto Cycle, use of different fuels, engine ratings, performance fundamentals, and the needed auxiliary systems.  A similar discussion is completed on the AC generator as well:  fundamental theory, components, and type so generators are discussed.  Operation and maintenance issues are included thoughout the presentation.  It is our belief that much of the damage done to diesel-generator is because person does not understand the fundamentals. 

Major topics include: Diesel Fundamentals • Fundamental Theory • Basic Construction • Classification • Fuels • Lubrication • Heat and Combustion • Governing • Auxiliary Systems • Starting Up • Operating Maintenance • Predictive Maintenance • AC Theory • Single/ Three Phase Power • Construction, Operating Characteristics Parallel Operation • Load Sharing • VARs/KW, Stability • Voltage Control and Excitation.

TOPICAL OUTLINE

1. Distinguishing Features of Diesel Engines: Recognizing a Diesel Engine, Diesels Differ from Each Other, Automotive Service, Farm Power Equipment, Mobile Service, Railroad Service, Marine Service, Stationary Service
2. What a Diesel Engine Is: Basic Parts, What Happens Inside the Engine, Four-Cycle Diesel Engine, Compression Ratio, Two-Cycle Diesel Engines, Advantages of Diesel Engines, Disadvantages of Diesel Engines, How Diesels Are Used, Why It Is Called a Diesel Engine
3. Basic Construction of a Diesel Engine: Parts Needed in a Diesel, How the Assembled Parts Look, How the Individual Parts Look
4. Classification of Diesel Engines: Diesel Engines/Classification by Type, Diesel Engine Classification by Use
5. Stationary Parts—Frames, Cylinders, and Heads: Engine Structure and Requirements, Cylinders and Liners, Cylinder Heads
6. Major Moving Parts: Pistons, Piston Rings, Connecting Rods, Wristpins, Crankshafts, Balancer Shafts and Vibration Damper, Bearings, Flywheels
7. Lubricating the Diesel: Lubricating Principles, Basic Requirements of a Lubricant, Diesel Engine Lubrication Systems, Properties of Lubricating Oils, Selection of Lubricating Oils
8. Heat and Combustion: What Heat Is, Heat Flow, Gas Pressure and Volume, Gas Laws, Basic Terms of Chemistry, Chemistry of Engine-Fuel Combustion, Heat Quantities from Combustion
9. Oil and Gaseous Fuels: What Oil Is, How Oil Is Refined, Properties of Diesel Fuels, Ignition, Dual-Fuel Engines Burn Gas and Oil, Gaseous Fuels
10. Engine Power and Fuel Consumption: Indicated Power, Brake Horsepower, Torque, Brake Mean Effective Pressure, Efficiency and Fuel Consumption, How Volumetric Efficiency Affects Engine Power, Effect of Compression Ratio on Thermal Efficiency, Where the Lost Heat Goes
11. Engine Rating and Performance: Engine Rating, Combustion and Cooling Limit Power Rating, Lubrication and Inertia Limit Speed Rating, Standard Ratings, Other Power Ratings, Fuel Consumption
12. Intake and Exhaust Systems - Scavenging and Supercharging: Intake and Exhaust Systems, Valve-Actuating Gear, Valve Timing, Air-Intake System, Inlet Manifolds, Scavenging, Supercharging
13. Injecting Fuel: Fuel Injection System, Multiple Plunger Injection System, Distribution Type Fuel Injection Pump, Unit Injectors, Injectors and Nozzles
14. Burning the Fuel: Diesel Combustion, Solid Fuel Injection System, Special Design Combustion Chambers
15. Governing: Governors, Speed Governors, Definition of Terms, Hydraulic Governor with Permanent Speed Droop, Isochronous Hydraulic Governor, Governor Modifications, How Governors Are Used
16. High Compression Gas-Burning Engines: High Compression Increases Burning Efficiency, Gas-Diesel Engines, Ignition and Combustion in Gas-Burning Engines, Dual-Fuel Engines, High-Compression Spark-Ignited Gas Engines, Uses of High-Compression Gas-Burning Engines
17. Auxiliary Systems: Lubricating System - Large Engines, Cooling System, Fuel-Supply System, Air-Intake System, Exhaust System, Starting System, Electric Ignition Systems for Gas Engines, Alarm and Shutdown Systems, Automatic Starting and Load-Control Systems
18. Operation and Maintenance: Operation, Operating Procedures, Performance Records, Operator As Trouble Shooter, Fundamental Problems
19. AC Generators: AC Theory, Single/Three Phase Power, Construction, Operating Characteristics, Parallel Operation, Load Sharing, VARs/kW, Stability, Voltage Control and Excitation