A Diagnostic Method for Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines Used in Stationary Applications

The diesel engine is used for power generation in stationary applications especially in isolated areas not connected to the main distribution network due to its relatively high efficiency, durability, and flexibility compared to alternative power sources. The diesel engine can easily follow power fluctuations. For this reason it is widely used for power generation in Islands in Greece. The diesel engine is a complex machine and requires intensive maintenance to insure proper and efficient operation. This is amplified by the interaction between the engine and the exhaust gas turbocharger. The present work describes an advanced troubleshooting method, based mainly on thermodynamics, for stationary engine monitoring and fault detection. The method is based on the processing of measured engine data using a simulation model and provides the current engine condition and its tuning. An application of the method on a slow speed diesel engine used for power generation is presented. The method is applied in the field and the results reveal the condition of the engine and its subsystems. Furthermore, proposals are made to improve engine performance. The method is most useful since it is possible to detect faults at their initial stage that may in the future result in serious problems and limit the availability of the engine.