Fuel Economy Of Generator By Pf Correction

[AB2005]

Dear Friends,

 

As we know that the improvement in power factor effects on looses in power source, cables, bus bars etc due reactive current passing. Does it also effect on fuel economy of generator?

 

[marke]

Hi AB2005

 

Adding power factor corection will reduce the current drawn if you have a poor displacement power factor.

This in turn will also reduce the losses in the alternator and in the distribution system.

The engine produces KW, not Amps. The reduction in KW will reduce the fuel, but not the reduction in amps.

 

Best regards,

Mark.

[AB2005]

Thanks Mark

 

OK. It means that correcting of PF only increases the capacity of distribution system not the power supply source i.e. Generator or Transformer. Am I right? There is a little confusion which must be cleared.

 

 

[marke]

Hello AB2005

 

The generator set comprises an engine and an alternator.

The engine develops KW and the alternator develops KVA.

 

Power factor correction reduces KVA and to a much lesser extent KW.

You may halve your KVA and only reduce the KW by 10%.

 

The alternator and the transformer are loaded by KVA.

If you have a poor power factor, then the maximum KW that you can load up a transformer or alternator with is reduced.

A 750KVA transsformer can carry 750KW with a power factor of 1.0, but only 375KW with a power factor of 0.5.

The same applies to a 750KVA generator set.

If you have a 750KVA generator with a power factor of 0.5, you can only apply 375KW of load. The alternator is fully loaded, and the engine is only half loaded.

 

Best regards,

Mark.

[AB2005]

Excellent!

Thanks Mark.