Diesel generator: from the sources to our times.

The history of the diesel generator dates back to the 19th century, but to this day these devices remain popular and in demand for energy sources. Diesel generators are longevous and economical, easy to use, in addition, they can significantly reduce the load on the grid of cities. This is an ideal source of backup power, which can be useful in country cottages and industrial, manufacturing plants. If it is a question of regions in which there is no centralized power supply, then without a diesel power station, it will not be possible to manage at all.

Diesel generators in modern conditions

Diesel generator - an installation that generates electricity when burning fuel. This device consists of a diesel engine and an electric generator, the duration of the operation of the equipment is determined only by the fuel reserves.

The most demanded diesel generators as an emergency source of electricity where there is a need to ensure uninterrupted power supply - it can be industrial facilities, hospitals, banks and so on. Diesel generators are also used in those facilities where temporary power supply is needed - on construction sites, shopping areas, open concert stages and so on. However, diesel generators are able to organize and permanent power supply, which is especially important in various expeditions, on yachts, in remote countryside.

What attracts diesel generators of modern consumers? The advantages of such equipment are a lot: they are compact, have a long service life, are economical, they can work in the widest temperature range (from -60 to + 60 ° C), low noise, ecological compatibility.

The field of electronics in recent decades is developing very actively: the latest achievements in this field have made diesel generators almost an ideal source of energy. Today diesel stations include high-precision electronic devices, ICE. The work of the generators is carried out automatically, practically without requiring human intervention: all functions are performed under close scrutiny of the monitoring and control system.

Many inventions of the past centuries are not in demand, popular. But only not diesel generators - mankind has not yet been able to find a worthy alternative to this equipment. So far, only the diesel generator is able to provide uninterrupted power at the lowest cost and regardless of external conditions.

Diesel generators a century ago

The inventor of the diesel generator is Rudolf Diesel. However, the preconditions for the appearance of this device could be said even 25 years before the official opening - in 1831. It was at this time that Michael Faraday first introduced the public to the prototype generator - a coil of copper wire.

The Faraday design included a copper coil and a magnet. Under the action of the magnetic field, an electric current appeared and the magnet began to rotate. A little later this invention was improved: the magnet was already in a stationary position, and the coil moved around it. Due to the rotational motion, a continuous current appeared.

After 70 years, an unknown genius connected this discovery with the diesel engine of Rudolf Diesel and received a single device, which we now call a diesel electric generator.

Diesel engine and internal combustion engine

Rudolf Diesel began work on a revolutionary new kind of engine in 1890. Then the theory was put forward, the essence of which was that the efficiency of the engine can be increased if the fuel is injected into a cylinder with already compressed air. By the way, the engine with an efficiency of 12% (the invention of Nicholas Otto) at that time was considered the top performance. Diesel engine predicted its child efficiency in 70%, which, undoubtedly, should have been a sensation.

The engine of Rudolf Diesel was patented in 1892. First, coal dust was to be used as fuel, however, as experiments showed, this was not the best option. Coal dust was replaced by several other substances, and only partially purified oil was recognized as the optimal fuel: it allowed Diesel to realize its purpose.

So, in 1893 the first diesel engine was created, the weight of which was several tons. More than 3 years the author perfected his creation, and in 1897 the engine earned. Despite the fact that its efficiency was 27, and not 70%, in those days it was a record result.

Rydolf Diesel called his offspring a thermal economical engine, but after the death of the scientist the device was renamed: in 1913 it was called "diesel engine".

Diesel electric generator: the way to excellence

Initially, the diesel engine was used in stationary mechanisms, on sea vessels. The brainchild of Diesel could not be called universal because of certain defects, and therefore the area of use of diesel equipment was rather narrow. Only about a century ago, when two great discoveries - a diesel engine and an electric generator - were connected, the diesel generator began to actively improve.

Mass production of diesel generators engaged in two companies: Caterpillar (America) and Perkins. These companies are still today recognized as world leaders in the field of diesel power plants.

In the 20s of the last century, diesel plants appeared on large farms in America and Europe, then small factories paid attention to them, which were in need of electricity irregularly.

Over time, diesel generators have somewhat lost their leadership positions to industrial power networks. However, even today they are actively used as a backup, and sometimes the main source of electricity. Moreover, the improvement of equipment continues, and modern models of diesel plants are becoming more functional, reliable, and compact. They are especially popular among those who need uninterrupted power supply in any conditions.