There are over 12 000 mines, 800 000 data centers and one million manufacturing factories worldwide. All these industries require power that is reliable and dependable. These industries will either require backup power or off-grid independent power to function. Independent power is made possible with generators powered by either reciprocal pistons or turbines. With a vast amount of gas turbines and piston-driven generators available, which one is right for your project?
How are gas turbines and piston-driven generators different?
The key difference between piston-driven generators and gas turbines is the way that they convert chemical energy into kinetic energy. In a gas turbine, the heat generated by the ignition of air and fuel turns the turbine blades which turn an alternator to generate energy. In piston-driven generators, energy is generated using combustion that drives pistons and then transfers the mechanical energy to a shaft that drives an alternator.
In simple terms, gas turbine generators use turbine blades and piston-driven generators use pistons to drive the generator. Gas turbines and piston-powered engines find their differences in the way that they are engineered and how they operate. This leaves us with the question, which one is the better option for your industrial project?
Benefits of Gas Turbine Generators:
Low OPEX (operational cost)
One of the main reasons why gas turbines are gaining popularity is their low operating costs. Compared to other low emission alternative energies such as renewable energies, the starting cost of gas turbines is very low. Therefore, gas turbines are not only affordable options but also one of the best options for cleaner power generation.
High Operation Speed
The high operating speed of gas turbines supports faster power/energy production. Gas turbines provide faster service in less time and use less lubrication during high-speed operation.
Greener Option for Industries
Another major advantage of gas turbine power plants is that they are environmentally friendly. Not only do they operate on natural gas, but they also emit less harmful emissions than piston-driven generators. In fact, gas turbines use surplus air for combustion purposes; meaning it uses atmospheric air which flows through the compressor and brings it to higher pressure; energy is then added by spraying fuel into the air and igniting it so that the combustion generates a high-temperature flow.
Benefits of Cylinder-Driven Generators
Efficiency
Diesel fuel is considered a stable fuel (less dangerous than gas), has a good energy density to volume ratio, and efficient consumption rate. Diesel generators use more or less half the amount of fuel that natural gas turbines use while doing the same amount of work.
Highly Durable
Piston-driven generators such as diesel generators are built for rugged operation for heavy-duty applications. These engines require less maintenance than gas turbine generators, run at lower speeds and operate at a cooler temperature making them last longer.
Increasingly Versatile
Piston-driven generators are able to operate in varying climates and conditions making them increasingly versatile. This makes these engines ideal for rugged or remote locations. These power plants are also progressively useful across various industries and applications making them easier to install and operate.
The Big Question of… Efficiency
When comparing gas turbines and cylinder-driven generators we can see that one of the benefits of the one over the other is efficiency. Efficiency refers to how well the fuel is burned to produce energy and the ratio of fuel to energy output. Simply put, which engine uses less fuel to produce the same amount of power?
The efficiency lies in the properties of the fuel and how it is combusted to produce energy. Gas is less dense than diesel fuel and as a result, does not produce as much energy when burnt even though it burns cleaner. Diesel on the other hand produces a larger quantity of energy as it is more dense than gas. This means that for the same volume of gas and diesel, you will get more energy from the combustion of diesel. Therefore, internal piston-driven generators are more efficient.
Turbines or Pistons?
In conclusion, the superior generator is the generator suitable for your project. If your power project requires a generator that has low emissions, cheap fuel costs with lower operational costs and faster startup times, a gas turbine generator will be a clear choice. If you are looking for a durable efficient generator that can run for long periods with cheaper maintenance costs, a diesel piston-driven generator will be the most effective choice.
It is always advisable to match the generator option to your project needs. You can find new and low-hour generators for sale on uspeglobal.com along with energy expertise for any industrial project requiring energy solutions! Browse USP&E Globals generator inventory today to discover industry-leading generator deals & energy expertise today!
Gas Turbine Generators and Diesel Generator For Sale by USP&E Global
Gas Turbines available for sale from USP&E Global
25 MW 2018 Used GE TM2500 Natural Gas Turbine Generator Sets
54 MW 2020 New Siemens SGT-800 Natural Gas Turbine Generator Sets
54 MW 2019 New Siemens SGT 800 Natural Gas Turbines Generator Set
Diesel Cylinder-Driven Generators available for sale by USP&E Global
1.88 MW 2014 New Mitsubishi S16R-Y2PTAW2 Diesel Generator Set
2.2 MW 2008 Used MTU 16V4000G83 Diesel Generator
880 kW 2010 Caterpillar C32 Diesel Generator
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