hforney
Member
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- New Jersey
85 KW Emergency Generator Fuel Source?
What are the pro and cons of using diesel fuel vs natural gas?
What are the pro and cons of using diesel fuel vs natural gas?
85 KW Emergency Generator Fuel Source?
- Thread starter hforney
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websparky
Senior Member
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- Cleveland, Ohio
Re: 85 KW Emergency Generator Fuel Source?
Natural gas is cleaner and is usually less expensive for the original install especially when all of the EPA requirements are considered.
Natural gas is cleaner and is usually less expensive for the original install especially when all of the EPA requirements are considered.
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- Bremerton, Washington
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- Master Electrician
Re: 85 KW Emergency Generator Fuel Source?
It may be up to the AHJ. Natural Gas may not be considerable available in a emergency. If the generator is an art 700 or 701 application, then diesel fuel may be the only choice. Diesel is not a flammable liquid (as is gasoline), so diesel is the fuel of choice for standby generators. Propane can be used, but there are limits on the sizes of a propane tank.
However, a generator on natural gas is a very clean burning installation, and requires little maint. A generator on diesel fuel has to be load tested yearly, to burn off the combustion byproducts.
Natural gas is a good choice, but codes and the AHJ-not the electrical AHJ- may require diesel
It may be up to the AHJ. Natural Gas may not be considerable available in a emergency. If the generator is an art 700 or 701 application, then diesel fuel may be the only choice. Diesel is not a flammable liquid (as is gasoline), so diesel is the fuel of choice for standby generators. Propane can be used, but there are limits on the sizes of a propane tank.
However, a generator on natural gas is a very clean burning installation, and requires little maint. A generator on diesel fuel has to be load tested yearly, to burn off the combustion byproducts.
Natural gas is a good choice, but codes and the AHJ-not the electrical AHJ- may require diesel
Re: 85 KW Emergency Generator Fuel Source?
In the size you mentioned (85 KW) there is not much difference. Diesel fuel capacity is limited where NG capacity will not be limited if using a utility supply. However during a natural disaster or other extrodinary events NG supplies may be cut off from a utility supply. Diesel engines are more reliable than gasoline or NG fuel supplied engines. In large KW applications diesel has the clear advantage except capacity limitations.
In the size you mentioned (85 KW) there is not much difference. Diesel fuel capacity is limited where NG capacity will not be limited if using a utility supply. However during a natural disaster or other extrodinary events NG supplies may be cut off from a utility supply. Diesel engines are more reliable than gasoline or NG fuel supplied engines. In large KW applications diesel has the clear advantage except capacity limitations.
hforney
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- New Jersey
Re: 85 KW Emergency Generator Fuel Source?
Previous Reply: A generator on diesel fuel has to be load tested yearly, to burn off the combustion byproducts.
A weekly start-up is not sufficient? If not, than a load test should be a simulated power outage or have a generator maintenance company come in and use a load bank.
One thing for sure, you can always learn something on this forum!!!!!!!!
[ September 20, 2003, 11:56 AM: Message edited by: hforney ]
Previous Reply: A generator on diesel fuel has to be load tested yearly, to burn off the combustion byproducts.
A weekly start-up is not sufficient? If not, than a load test should be a simulated power outage or have a generator maintenance company come in and use a load bank.
One thing for sure, you can always learn something on this forum!!!!!!!!
[ September 20, 2003, 11:56 AM: Message edited by: hforney ]
Re: 85 KW Emergency Generator Fuel Source?
If this is a level 1 installation and off site fuel system can not be the only fuel source, NFPA 110 3-1.1. You could have a diesel/NG combo engine although these are ridiculously expensive.
Roger
If this is a level 1 installation and off site fuel system can not be the only fuel source, NFPA 110 3-1.1. You could have a diesel/NG combo engine although these are ridiculously expensive.
Roger
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