3000kWh since November

[jotec]

Just to mark the milestone of the first 3MWh generated by the Lister. Went live at the end of November and run every day with the exception of 10 days when the GTI failed. That's around 20kWh per day.
Well chuffed.

[billi]

cool

have an applaud

[knighty]

nice.... but you're making me twitchy wanting to get mine going !

[Jober]

Jotec, what's the size of your PV system?

[jotec]

Jober
It is not PV it is a vegetable oil  powered CHP system. Max output 2.5kw but runs mostly at 1700W as this is the most efficient.

Knighty
Get on with it!!!- (even a small one is better than nothing, I am told!)

Dick

[billythesquid]

nice one dick great going
how the servicing going?

what are you going to do with all that heat now the weather is warming up!, you`ll be able to sell holidays the africa experience

Tony

[jotec]

Hi Tony (billythesquid)
Servicing is fine, I hope!!.
I decoked after 1500 hours, not too bad, and change the oil every 400 hours, it is still runny but very black ( I know the official time is 250 hrs) . I also seem to have to clean the pump rack of sticky veg at around every 700 hours.
I have now upped the inverter to output 2kW so the engine is running hotter which may extend the decoke interval. I have had the fire washer under the injector go, had to make a tool to get it out but running fine again now. Outputting 1250W as I type.
Regarding dumping heat, I only run for enough time each day to cover most of the electric usage so at the mo it is not too bad, the bio processor gets to 50 + each evening which aids water dropout.
For heat dump in hte summer I am thinking about a hot tub but have an IBC for water storage that I may press into use.
Dick

[billythesquid]

hot tub sounds good
will you be able to get the moptherinlaw out of it though!

servicing does`nt sound so bad few hours a week tops small price to pay for the benafits

good job
Tony

[knighty]

Dick, are you still using the water injection ?  is it still working well ?

[jotec]

Knighty,
Yes still injecting. I run about 2L of water through it each session. At the moment it is running from about 4-11 each day. I let it warm up for a couple of hours before pumping up the 'injector' (a garden sprayer) up and just leave it to get on with it. There was hard  carbon on the edge of the head and very soft carbon on the inlet valve but I think that was caused by oil drawn down the guide. I do wonder if I should mist it in rather than the stream I am using. I have a misting head to fit but also need a round 2it to do the job.
Dick

[knighty]

I'm thinking of running my engine at 1400rpm (roughly)   (2.5 indirect injection 4 cylinder citron van engine - because I already have the engine and it;s good for veg)

that way i could direct couple it to a generator

means I should be able to up the power more easily later on.... (looking to start off running at a continues 12kw (3 phase), and then up it to ~20kw later on (pending dno approval) and have it increase/decrease power depending on the factory electrical load and the temperature of the thermal store

(power right down if no hot water is needed, and if hot water is needed, do best to match power load up to 20kw max =(ish)


I'm thinking at 1400rpm ring gumming and coking should be less of a problem, but I'll run water injection anyway... maybe 5min every 24 hours ? or every 12 hours ?

[jotec]

Glad to see a plan coming together. The only way you will find out it will work is by trying it out. In my  (limited) experience there is always someone out in cyberworld with a different opinion.
Water injection certainly seems to work and makes the running smoother, you can hear it ,and I have had no evidence yet of ring gumming but would I if I had not water injected?
Ken Boak reckons that he heating of the high pressure injector lines has a bigger benefit than water injection (I think) so perhaps it is that making it work well. Certainly it makes it much easier to start if switched on 5 mins before starting from cold.
Basically - just do it!!!
Dick

[Ivan]

Congratulations - 3MWh is definitely not a flash in the pan!

Have you compared power output with/without water injection (or if you have constant power consumption from the GTi, you'd need to check fuel consumption with/without water injection). It may well be reducing the consumption slightly - I'd be interested to know if it makes a difference.

[jotec]

I have not really checked consumption, the main reason for water injection is to extend the periods between decoking. It did 1500 hours last time. I water inject about 2L once a day. The revs drop noticeably when injecting and if the engine is not hot it would be easy to overwhelm it and stop it. Lots of steam is generated and it runs much quieter.
I am currently adding a heated fuel tank, fuel lines and filter as I have a supply of used palm oil that is solid at below about 35c. I have been told that the cetane value of palm is higher than 'normal' veg so it will be interested to see if there is any difference.
I have got 6 ROCs for the 3Mw, I am awaiting info on how to turn them into cash.
Dick

[Other-Power]

Dick,

Any idea on conversion efficiency, ie assumed veg oil calorific value of 10.5kWh/L how may electrical kWh per litre?

Jonathan