Caterpillar has brought out a power module for dynamic gas blending called the CAT XQ2000 with dual fuel option to allow operators to use a range of gaseous fuels.
The dynamic gas blending system is designed for use with the 50Hz 1600kW XQ2000 power module driven by a CAT 3516B engine, which can be integrated to existing modules to reduce fuel costs by making use of available fuels as gas supply changes.
The dynamic gas blending lets the engine burn lower quality gases than a gas-only solution would allow. Caterpillar says the system allows customers switch between gas and diesel so can be used with intermittent gas supplies making it ideal for less-developed regions where supply is less reliable.
“The fuel savings achieved with this system depend on a number of variables, including the application and the quality of the gas being used, as well as the pressure and available volume,” said John Hancock, Caterpillar Rental Power project manager. “By fully automating the control system, we are able to maximise gas substitution for each operating point and gas condition, offering our customers the most fuel-efficient solution possible.”
The engine can run on a wide variety of fuels from gasses to vaporised liquefied natural gas with no loss of performance. Cat said it will maintain diesel performance with up to 70% replacement of diesel with gas and can accept up to 55% inert gases.
