Testing a Commercial Gas Engine using Synthetic Biogas

합성 바이오가스를 이용한 상용 가스엔진 발전기의 구동 특성

Biogas is widely accepted as one of renewable energy. Raw biogas can be used in internal combustion engines either spark ignition or diesel engines. Since the gas has relatively low calorific values, engine power also is lower than rated power values. Modified engines or biogas-specific engines have been utilized in order to increase efficiency. Recently, gas engine/generators are provided for various purposes. They are mostly for LPG or natural gas. When biogas is fueled to the gas engines, de-rating is inevitable due to its lower calorific values. Meanwhile, massively produced commercial gas engines are more competitive in terms of initial investment for engines, compared to biogas-specific engines. Then, the characteristics of the commercial engine and power generation should be understood for better operation. A 5kW gas engine/generator(natural gas) was tested for determining an allowable maximum concentration of $CO_2$ in synthetic biogas, with respect to engine stating, power generation. Experimental results indicated that about 65% of methane concentration is required to start the gas engine. At this condition, the power generated was about 3 kW. It is about 60% of the nominal power, which is similar to the ratio of calorific values.