Alternate Fuels for Industrial Combustion Engines. Final Report on Task 018

摘要

In this study, the various options for producing alternate fuels (synfuels) for large industrial combustion engine use are examined from the standpoint of current fuel usage and future engine development trends. This general class of engine in sizes above 1500 horsepower is widely utilized in the utility, transportation and industrial sectors to meet a variety of mechanical power needs. Consequently, industrial engine fuel demands are expected to be an important consideration as to which alternate fuels are developed as well as their commercial properties. The broad conclusions of this study are: (1) The current emphasis on the development of various concepts for the processng of gaseous and distillate fuels from coal and shale will provide a reliable fossil fuel source for industrial engine utilization well beyond the year 2000. (2) Engine emission requirements will largely dictate the degree of upgrading (cost) of alternate engine fuels and their commercial specifications as well as the overall efficiency of the entire energy system from resource to engine output. (3) The present lack of sufficient quantities of alternate fuels for engine development implies a need for fundamental research leading to an improved understanding of fuel properties and their relationship in predicting emission performance and fuel flexibility of engine designs. (ERA citation 05:038349)