3,000 ekW, 60 Hz Generator Set: Diesel & HVO Test
Caterpillar · Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar LEXE20432-02 (2022) reports back-to-back test-cell runs of a Cat 3516E 3,000 ekW, 60 Hz data-centre-class generator set on conventional diesel and neat HVO (R100). It concludes HVO is a viable drop-in fuel with minor trade-offs.
On this page
Overview
The comparison covers steady-state performance, fuel use, NOx and smoke, ISO 8528-5 and SpecSizer transient tests, and NFPA 110 start tests. At equal fuel delivery the engine produced 3.6% less power on HVO, although most 3500 Series engines are expected to derate by under 2% once fuelling rises to its limit. Transient tests showed on average 1.3% greater frequency droop with HVO.
Frequency dip crossed the G3 limit at about 41% block load on HVO against 43% on diesel, and the G2 limit at about 48% against 51% (2:1 V/Hz, PF 1.0). Both fuels reached 1800 rpm steady speed in under 7 s with jacket water at 60 C, meeting NFPA 110 Type 10.
On emissions, smoke opacity with HVO was about half that of diesel, with FSN up to about 60% lower down to roughly 28% load. NOx was not significantly different at high load but up to about 40% lower at 50% load and below. Cat judged 3500 fuel-system seals and hoses compatible with HVO and all HVO-diesel blends.
Key points
- At equal fuel delivery HVO gave 3.6% less power; most 3500 engines expected to derate under 2% at the fuel limit.
- Transient tests showed on average 1.3% greater frequency droop on HVO.
- G3 limit crossed at about 41% block load on HVO vs 43% on diesel; G2 at about 48% vs 51%.
- Both fuels reached 1800 rpm in under 7 s and met NFPA 110 Type 10.
- HVO smoke opacity about 50% of diesel; FSN up to about 60% lower down to about 28% load.
- NOx similar at high load, up to about 40% lower at 50% load or less.
- 3500 fuel-system seals and hoses compatible with HVO and all blends.
Using it in design
- Store a fuel compatibility list (diesel, HVO/EN 15940) with an HVO derate percentage and an HVO-specific maximum block-load step in the catalog.
- When project fuel is HVO, apply about a 2% kW derate and cut the allowable first load step by a few points versus diesel figures.
- Keep the NFPA 110 Type 10 start check for HVO.
- Offer HVO as a fuel option in the sustainability module for scope-1 reporting.
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Who should read it
Electrical designers and operators evaluating HVO for data-centre generators.
Related standards
- ISO 8528-5
- NFPA 110
- EN 15940
Publication details
- Authors
- Caterpillar Inc.
- Publisher
- Caterpillar
- Year
- 2022
- Document number
- LEXE20432-02
- Document language
- English
- Source type
- Manufacturer
- Access
- Free to read
- Licence
- Copyright retained; citation only — the publisher’s terms apply to the original document
Citation
Caterpillar Inc. (2022). 3,000 ekW, 60 Hz Generator Set: Diesel & HVO Test. Caterpillar. LEXE20432-02. https://www.finning.com/content/dam/finning/en_gb/Documents/Industries/ElectricPower/cat-white-papers-march-2024/3,000%20ekW,%2060%20Hz%20Generator%20Set%20Diesel%20And%20HVO%20Test%20(LEXE20432-02).pdf
Events on this subject
- ICCI 2027 – Uluslararası Enerji ve Çevre Fuarı ve Konferansı
- The smarter E Europe (Intersolar Europe, ees Europe, Power2Drive, EM-Power)
- iMasons Climate Accord Summit
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