Diesel Vs. Natural Gas Generators
Large operations such as manufacturing plants, call centers and hospitals need a constant and bountiful electricity supply. Emergency or backup generators fill the gaps that electricity suppliers' blackouts and brownouts create. Diesel and natural gas fuel these generators.
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Diesel Advantages
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Diesel engines have powered these generators for years. Their reliability, power and easily available fuel supplies made them the preferred engines for most operations.
Diesel Disadvantages
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Diesel fuel's only drawbacks were related to the need for storage. Extreme conditions, such as floods or ice storms, could hamper refueling and run the tanks dry. Low usage could cause the fuel to gel and deteriorate if left in the tanks.
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Natural Gas Advantages
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Natural gas burns cleaner than diesel fuel. Natural gas engines do not require the exhaust cleaning systems diesel engines need. Natural gas does not require fuel tanks, it is pumped via pipes directly to the users.
Natural Gas Disadvantages
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Natural gas engines do not generate as much power as diesels produce. It takes a 1650 cc natural gas engine to generate the same horsepower as a 927 cc diesel engine. Natural gas is pumped under pressure. A fuel leak could quickly lead to a large explosion.
Conclusion
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Natural gas engines should only be used for smaller generators (less than 200 horsepower) that will not be used for periods beyond 12 hours. For all other applications, diesel is the preferred fuel.
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- Photo Credit diesel locomotive image by Soja Andrzej from Fotolia.com
