How Does A

Diesel
Generator
Work?
✗ A diesel generator is actually a
machine that converts mechanical
energy (produced by an in-built
combustion engine) into electrical
energy.
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✗ There are different components of the diesel
generator that work in synergy to produce
electricity.
✗ Some of these essential components of a
power diesel generator include:
1. Engine 4. Lubricating System
2. Alternator 5. Cooling Water System
3. Fuel System 6. Control Panel

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1
 Engine
✗ Being the primary component of the diesel
generator set, the engine supplies the mechanical
energy which is later transformed into electrical
power.

✗ As a matter of fact, the power output of these

diesel generators is directly proportional to its
engine’s size.

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2.
 Alternato
r
- This is another key
component of a diesel
generator that uses the
mechanical input supplied
by the engine and
converts it into electrical
output.
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 Alternator
✗ An alternator includes a rotor that
produces a magnetic field to
eventually generate some alternating
current.

✗ This is why the rotor is referred to as

the main part of the alternator.

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3.
Fuel System
This component stores and
supplies the fuel to the
generator.
= fuel pump, fuel valve, filters
etc.

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4.
Lubricating
System
 This unit ensures the
smooth functioning of
different parts of a
diesel generator.
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Lubricating System
 This is why it is recommended to keep
a proper check on the lubricating system
of the generator to avoid any
malfunctioning.
= priming pump, L.o pump, filters

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5.
 Cooling water
system
✗ Although there is an abundance of free sea water
available, marine diesel engines do not use it directly
to keep the hottest parts of the engine cool.

✗ This is because of the corrosion which would be

caused in the cooling water spaces, and the salts
which would be deposited on the cooling surfaces
interfering with the heat flow.

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Cooling water
system
✗ Instead, the water circulated around the
engine is fresh water ( or better still,
distilled water) which is then itself cooled
using sea water.

✗ This fresh water is treated with chemicals

to keep it slightly alkaline ( to prevent
corrosion) and to prevent scale formation.

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 Cooling water
system
✗ Of course, if distilled water, which some ships can
make from sea water using evaporators, is used then
there is a reduced risk of scale formation.

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6.
Control Panel
This unit not only
includes the Start/Stop
button but also contains
indicators for various
parameters like current,
voltage, and frequency.
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 Main
Parts of A
Generator
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1. Turbo Charger

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1.Turbo Charger
- is a turbine-driven,
forced induction device
that increases an
internal combustion
engine's efficiency and
power output by forcing
extra compressed air
into the combustion
chamber. 22
 Turbo Charger
✗ When will you change turbocharger
bearing ?

1. As per Running Hour

2. As per clearance
3. When damaged
4. When vibration is heavy
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2. CYLINDER
HEAD

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Cylinder Head

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3. PISTON ASSY.

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Piston assy.

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4. CRANKPIN
BEARING

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Crankpin bearing

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5.FUEL PUMP

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Fuel Pump

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5.FUEL VALVE

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Fuel Valve

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 OTHER
MAINTENA
NCE:
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1. TAPPET CLEARANCE
2. CRANKSHAFT DEFLECTION
3. Pmax
Thanks
!
John Carlo S. Bacalso

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