GE Energy Jenbacher Gas Engines
The
GE Energy Jenbacher engines are manufactured in Jenbach, Austria and designed
from the outset to run on gas (not diesel engine conversions) - either
natural gas, biogas or special gases. Over five decades of experience
in the gas engine business has resulted in 1000’s of Jenbacher engines
being installed worldwide. The high tech engines cover a range for 330kWe
to 3MW and are designed as stationary continuous operation units.
The high class leading efficiency (38%-44%) of Jenbacher engines result in outstanding fuel economy and the environmentally friendly technology produce very low exhaust emissions. The engines have also proved to be very durable and highly reliable in all types of applications, particularly when used for CHP (combined heat and power) or trigeneration (heat, power and cooling) . They are renowned for being able to constantly generate the rated output even with variable gas conditions.
The patented LEANOX lean burn combustion control system fitted on all Jenbacher engines guarantees the correct air/fuel ratio under all operating conditions to minimize exhaust gas emissions whilst maintaining stable operation. In combination with the LEANOX system the Jenbacher gas mixer balances out fluctuations in calorific value, which occurs mainly in biogas plants.
Jenbacher engines are not only renowned for being able to operate on gases with extremely low calorific value, low methane number and hence degree of knock, but also gases with a very high calorific value.
Possible gas sources vary from low calorific gas produced in chemical industries, wood gas, pyrolysis gas produced from decomposition of substances by heat (gasification), landfill gas, sewage gas, natural gas, propane and butane which have a very high calorific value.
One of the most important properties regarding use of gas in an engine is the knock resistance rated according to the ‘methane number’. High knock resistance pure methane has a number of 100. In contrast to this, butane has a number of 10 and hydrogen 0 which is at the bottom of the scale and therefore have a low resistance to knocking.
The high efficiency of the Jenbacher engines becomes particularly benefitial when used in a CHP (combined heat and power) or trigeneration application, such as district heating schemes, hospitals, universities or industrial plants. With governmental pressure mounting on companies and organisations to reduce their carbon footprint the efficiencies and energy returns from chp and trigeneration installations have proven to be the energy resource of choice.
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Product Range
The Jenbacher Gas Engines are available in a wide range of sizes and packaged with electrical generators and control systems to meet application specific requirements. Mechanical drive versions are also available.
Engine Types
Jenbacher engines range comprises four types of design, generating outputs from 330kWe to 3000kWe. All engines are able to operate with various natural gas, biogas and syngas fuel specifications. Output options at different emission levels are also available for natural gas applications.
Type 2
An 8 cylinder engine producing 330kWe. First introduced in 1974 the Type 2 has an outstanding reliability record and class leading efficiency. Download a product catalogue [here] in PDF format.
Type 3
Available in 12V, 16V and 20V cylinders with a Power range from 525kW to 1065kWe. The Type 3 engine range has earned an enviable reputation of being a very reliable engine regardless of the type gas fuel. Long service intervals and low fuel consumption guarantees maximum efficiency and high availability. Download a product catalogue [here] in PDF format.
Type 4
Available in 12V, 16V and 20V cylinders with a Power range from 844kW to 1415kWe. This ‘state-of-the-art’ engine is based on the proven and perfected design of both the Type 3 and 6. Download a product catalogue [here] in PDF format.
Type 6
Available in 12V, 16V and 20V cylinders with a Power range from 1819kW to 3044kWe. The Type 6 engine is a modern high speed engine operating at 1500RPM which produces a high specific output resulting in low installation and operating and maintenance costs. Download a product catalogue [here] in PDF format.
Engine Packages
Gensets
Jenbacher gensets are relatively compact due to their high specific output. The Type 2, 3 and 4 gensets are delivered with engine and generator on a common frame whilst the Type 6 are delivered as separate engine/generator sub-assemblies and connected at site
The generating sets are isolated from the base frame by sylomer strips and the base frame is subsequently isolated from the building foundation by sylomer strips, which combined with a high degree of dynamic balance result in minimal vibration affecting the building. The high dynamic balance of these engines also result in no special foundation requirement other than sufficient load bearing capability and a flat surface.
Modules
Jenbacher also package the engine-generators into a module to facilitate the heat recovery from the engine cooling circuits. They are similar to the genset but with additional heat recovery heat exchangers located on the supporting frame.
Containerised Sets
The scope of supply includes the engine-generator set, interface panel and auxiliaries such as ventilation system, gas train and auto top up lube oil system all housed in an acoustic enclosure with roof mounted exhaust silencer and radiator. The genset control panel and switchgear is located in a separate room at the end of the container. The factory manufactured and tested package simply requires gas and power connections on site, minimizing installation time and optimising on versatility. CHP versions are also available recovering the waste heat by integrating the appropriate heat exchangers in the cooling water and exhaust gas systems. The compact design allows a space saving solution with service-orientated accessibility.
Gas Types
Jenbacher engines are purpose designed gas engines, not converted diesels. Being purpose designed for gas, Jenbacher engines perform exceptionally well on a very wide range of gases:
Natural Gas
Since it is low in carbon, but has a high hydrogen content, natural gas has the most favourable carbon dioxide balance. The combustion of natural gas produces around 40 to 50 percent less carbon dioxide than when coal is burned to produce the same amount of energy.
Landfill
Once a landfill site has been capped with soil, the breakdown of biological matter creates huge quantities of hydrocarbon gases, particularly methane - which is 21 times more damaging to the atmosphere than CO2, but can be easily burned in a Jenbacher gas engine. The decomposition process in a landfill generating significant amounts of gas lasts about 15-25 years. The volume of gas decreases steadily over this period of time (see figure). A ton of garbage produces a total of around 150-200 Nm3 of landfill gas with a methane content of about 50-60%. This is approximately equivalent to the amount of energy contained in 100 litres of heating oil.
The arduous operating environment for engines running on landfill gas has proven beyond doubt the strengths of the purpose designed Jenbacher gas engines above all other diesel derived alternatives.
Biogas
The term "biogas" refers to gases created by the anaerobic fermentation of biological materials. Their main constituents are methane and carbon dioxide. Considerable quantities of biogas are produced by sludge digestion in the tanks of sewage treatment plants (sewage gas) and anaerobic fermentation of agricultural waste and organic residues in garbage tips (landfill gas). Since biomass is a source of energy with no net carbon dioxide emissions, its use as a fuel can help reduce the use of fossil fuels, thus helping to reduce the greenhouse effect.
Coke Gas
The coking process produces coke, coke gas and tar. The main constituents of coke gas are hydrogen, methane and carbon monoxide. The coke gas must be purified to remove the less volatile hydrocarbons that cause condensation before it can be used to fuel a combustion engine.
Mines Gas
When coal is mined underground, the released methane gas forms a highly explosive mixture when combined with air. The potential danger due to the diffuse emission of this mine gas and its main constituent methane is reduced by effectively using it for power generation. The gas can be used to replace conventional fuels, reducing methane emissions into the atmosphere.
Special Gases
Special gases are normally waste gases from industrial or gasification processes. Using them as fuels for combustion engines represents an important contribution to the protection of the environment by reducing the use of fossil fuels and the emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere. There is considerable potential for the disposal of industrial waste gases, hydrogen, wood pyrolysis gases and flare gas through gas engine power generation technology.