CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHOD

3.1 Experimental Setup

The experimental setup for the conversion process of a PMS to CNG generator

consist of a single cylinder, four (4) stroke air cooled petrol generator of rated p

ower of 2.5KVA. The generator unit being under test has a capacity of 2.5Kw,

50Hz 240v. The setup consist of a generator; the converter (also called the vapo

rizer) attached to the carburetor. As the final electrical output is a concern of th

e generator set, electrical loading is used instead of a conventional dynamomet

er. The converter consists of a regulating hose, which connect to the CNG cylin

der with valve and regulator on its head. The CNG cylinder of 3kg was used. It

was designed to run the generator using CNG with its component modification

s known as the converter (hybrid carburetor) and gas regulator. The modificatio

n was done in way that the possibility of switching back its petrol fueling syste

m will be easy without altering the system. (Ibeneme et al., 2020).

The setup and materials includes:

- Generator set

- CNG cylinder

- Hose and regulators

- Stop watch

- Converter and kits (hybrid type)

- Weighing scale

Detail specification of the generator used and component setup.

Parameters Details

Name of manufacturer Zhejiang Yaofeng Power Technology Co., Ltd.

Speed 3600rpm

No. of stroke 4

Fuel used Petrol (PMS)

No. of cylinder 1

Type of cooling Air cooled

Type of starting Hand start

Power rating 2.5 KVA

Weight 40kg

Table 2.

The specification of the generator type used is based on the societal considerati

on on the use of generator in homes in Nigeria. Most of these generators use pe

trol as its fuel, but modification is made for it to use CNG gas. For the aim of t
his project is to contribute valuable knowledge to the field by examining the

technical, ecological, and economic aspects of the conversion process of a

PMS to CNG generator.

The 2.5Kva generator of dimension of Length X Width X Height is 615 x 435

x 455 (mm). It has a rated A.C output of 2.5Kw/50Hz to 2.7Kw/50Hz. A fuel ta

nk capacity of 15 Litres with Horse power at 3600rpm of 6.5Hp. It has a power

factor of 1(one) and a rated A.C Voltage of 110v, 120v, 220v, 230v, 240v, (3 ph

ase), 400v (3 phase).

3.2 Experimental Procedure

Following procedures were used to carry out the investigating on the efficiency.

- The CNG (CNG) kits, pressure regulator, hoses and other components were a

ssembled properly.

- The converter connected with the hose from CNG cylinder is coupled to the e

ngine replacing the original carburetor.

- Before the start of the engine, ensure any leakages in the setup

- The CNG gas supply to the engine is controlled by a regulator valve and a co

nverter the liquefied CNG gas in the cylinder into vapour.

- The generator test is carried out at constant out at constant speed by running i

t with CNG and petrol known as PMS (premium motor

spirit).

- First, the generator is run with petrol while time collection is made at differen

t loading.
- The same generator is run with CNG with the hybrid converter attached. The

weight of CNG consumed is also collected using the time from PMS.

- The weight of CNG gas and PMS was determined at the end of each trial usin

g a weighing balance or scale to measure the amount of fuel consumed in Kg.

3.2.1 Steps Taken To Obtain Results

Running the generator either on PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) or CNG follows

the same principle by calculating each consumption for both fuels at set standar

d of time.

The engine was first run on no load and at constant speed. This step is repeated

for several numbers of times as desired say three (3) times. Since constraints ar

e imposed on experimental process regarding the recording of real values due t

o losses while trying to repeat an experiment. Mass in kilogram of fuel used is

weighed before, after each subsequent experiment, and at elapsed time duration

of fuel consumption. The difference in weight will be the approximate volume

or kilogram of fuel consumed at a set time standard.

3.3 Measurements Made

The time required for a specified mass of PMS to exhaust is used to determine t

he fuel consumption of CNG in kilogram. Due to absence of flow meter, volum

e of petrol in litres of equivalent 0.7kg was used to commence the test.

3.4 Equipments/Components Description and Functions

3.4.1 Converter (hybrid type): It is the most important part of the modified ex

perimental set up without vaporizer engine cannot be operated through CNG fu

el. A vaporizer is a device that transforms liquid phase CNG to vapor phase

CNG. CNG Vaporizers are used for vaporizing liquid fuel gases (i.e., CNG, but

ane, natural gas) or even other gases for use in various heating or other process

es. In the first stage, CNG is first vaporized and successively reduced in pressu

re. The second stage chamber is very sensible to the vacuum pressure. The vac

uum pressure causes the flow of CNG to the engine to increase or decrease dep

ending on the pressure difference. Any pressure difference is transferred to the

second stage chamber and the membrane will allows for a greater flow of gas t

o enter the engine.

3.4.2 Regulator: A pressure regulator is a valve that controls the flow of a liqui

d gas at certain pressure. Gas pressure regulators were used to regulate gas flo

w and are not used for measuring flow rates. A pressure regulator’s primary fu

nction is to match the flow of gas through the regulator to the demand for gas

placed upon the system. If the load flow decreases, then the regulator flow mu

st decrease also. If the load flow increases, then the regulator flow must increa

se. The regulator used has the following technical specifications; input pressur

e of 2.0kpa to 2.6kpa (0.29psi - 0.38psi) (written on the label).

Note: this specification should not be exceeded for use on generator of 2.5KVA

rating and below.

Weighing scale: Weighing scales are used in many industrial and commercial a

pplications. In present experiment electronic (analogue type) weighing machin

e is used for calculating the consumption quantity of CNG, which have least co

unt of one kilogram and maximum capacity of weighing machine is 50 Kg.

3.4.4 CNG Cylinder: The two variant available are called; Cylindrical type an

d toroidal type. The tank also has different capacity variants. CNG cylinder of

3kg capacity is used in this experiment.

3.4.5 Pipe: Pipe use to supply CNG, from CNG tank to vaporizer called CNG

or fuel pipe. It is larger in diameter than lubricant and vacuum pipe shown.

CNG pipe should have better quality because continuous supply of CNG can d

amage the pipe when it is use very long time. Pipe through which lubricant sup

plied to the engine called lubricant pipe, it connect lubricant bottle with mixer

through tee. It has transparent colour. Pipe, which is provided for air, is called

air or vacuum pipe, its one end is connected to the mixer and other is connecte

d to vaporizer.

3.5 Definitions of terms.

3.5.1 Fuel Consumption

This is the ratio of the mass (Kg) of fuel consumed or supplied to the time tak

en in hours.

Mathematically:
F.C = Kg of fuel (Kg/hr)
 Hour
(UNESCO 2009)

3.5.2 Specific Fuel Consumption (S.F.C)

This is the ratio of fuel consumption rate in Kg/hr to the power available in th

e engine. It is also called brake specific fuel consumption.

S.F.C = Fuel consumption rate (Kg/Kwhr)

Power
(UNESCO 2009)

3.5.3 Efficiency (η)

This is the ratio of the useful output to total input, which is expressed m

athematically.

η = Desired output

Required input (UNESCO 2009)

3.5.4 Brake Thermal Efficiency (ɳbth)

This is the ratio of energy equivalent of the Brake power (B.P) per second

(watt) to the Energy supplied by fuel per second.

Brake ηBth = B.P (watt)

Kg/hr × C.V
 (UNESCO 2009)

REFERENCES

Ibeneme, O. C., & Ighalo, J. I. (2020). Prospects of Compressed Natural Gas

(CNG) as an Alternative Fuel in Nigeria: A Comprehensive Review. Heliyon,

6(8), e04590.

UNESCO. (2009). UNESCO country programming document (UCPD): Brazil,

2008-2009.