Performance and durability of a generator set CI engine using synthetic and petroleum based fuels for military applications

The long term performance and durability evaluation of a compression ignition (CI) engine of a diesel power generator using ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) and Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene, (S-8) fuels have been investigated under military specifications. The brake specific fuel consumptions (BSFC) were 0.308 ± 0.013 and 0.267 ± 0.019 kg/kW-h for ULSD and S-8, respectively. The corresponding brake thermal efficiencies (BTE) were 0.287 ± 0.002 and 0.309 ± 0.005. Degradation of engine performance or engine part wear was not observed during these test periods. Analysis of lubricating oil suggests negligible engine part wear. The frequency and power output of the generator, however, were not as stable with S-8 as those with ULSD. These power and frequency instabilities can be attributed to higher volatility and lower density and viscosity of S-8, all of which affect the fuel injection characteristics.