An Approach for Power Generation with Reduced Fuel Consumption using PTO Driven Generator

Manish Patel,H Raheman

doi:10.12944/cwe.11.2.24

Abstract

Using the gear up throttle down concept, suitable power take off (PTO) speed required to run a PTO powered generator was decided. For this PTO test was carried out using an eddy current dynamometer. The tractor engine was loaded to different torque values at different engine speeds for obtaining constant PTO power corresponding to the full load of the generator. Fuel consumption, smoke level, exhaust gas temperature and coolant temperature were measured during PTO test. Engine speed fluctuation and engine overloading were also observed to judge whether the engine was running smoothly, or it was overloaded. The specific fuel consumption was reduced from 268.9 g/kW h at 1579 rpm to 242.9 g/kW h at 1000 rpm. Considering the engine speed fluctuation, overloading of the engine, rapid rise of smoke level, exhaust gas temperature and coolant temperature, an engine speed of 1215 rpm was recommended instead of 1579 rpm (corresponding to standard PTO speed of 540 rpm). A suitable power transmission system comprising belt and pulley drive was designed to run the generator at rated speed of 1500 rpm. When the generator was operated at reduced PTO speed of 415 rpm (corresponding to engine speed of 1215 rpm) in comparison to standard PTO speed of 540 rpm, fuel saving of 0.35 l/h to 0.55 l/h and 0.43 l/h to 0.48 l/h was achieved at different alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) loads on the generator, respectively. Following this approach, a considerable amount of fuel energy could be saved while generating electric power using tractor. Efficient use of fuel will reduce the overall production cost of agricultural products as well as help in protecting our environment.

Highlights

With the increased cropping intensity, farmers of developing countries have supplemented animate power with tractors, power tillers, diesel engines and electric motors
Considering the engine speed fluctuation, overloading of the engine, and rapid increase of smoke level, exhaust gas temperature and coolant temperature, the engine speed of 1200 rpm was selected as critical speed for operating the generator at full load to obtain reduced specific fuel consumption
A suitable belt and pulley drive was designed, and pulley ratio of 3.6 was selected which required 1215 rpm of the engine to run the generator at rated speed with reduced power take off (PTO) speed

Summary

Introduction

With the increased cropping intensity, farmers of developing countries have supplemented animate power (human and draft animal) with tractors, power tillers, diesel engines and electric motors. Electric power plays a pivotal role in various agricultural operations. With the increased mechanization methods and use of improved irrigation facilities, the demand for electricity has increased; on the contrary, the availability of electricity in farms of developing countries has shown a decreasing trend that has caused the stress on irrigation practices in recent years. The poor quality and erratic power supply have aggravated the problem; there is increased need for an alternative to grid power. The tractors available in Indian farms are mostly used for agricultural operations like tillage, sowing, inter-culture, harvesting, threshing, etc. To improve the working period of tractors, PTO driven generators are gaining popularity for generating electricity during the periods of nonavailability and poor quality of grid power. Due to increase in the price of diesel, cost

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