What effective anti-freezing measures should be taken for diesel generator sets in winter?

With the advent of winter and the gradual drop in temperature, diesel generators may face a series of problems when working in a low temperature environment, the most serious of which is the solidification of diesel and the freezing and cracking of the unit. Therefore, it is particularly important to take effective antifreeze measures. This article will detail several effective measures for antifreeze of diesel generators in winter to ensure their normal operation.

1. Use suitable diesel

Choose low-condensation point diesel: The freezing point of diesel fuel is the temperature at which it begins to solidify at low temperatures. In winter, according to the local minimum temperature, choose diesel with a freezing point below this temperature. For example, in areas where temperatures can drop to -10°C, -20 diesel should be used. Because the freezing point of -20 diesel is below -10°C, this prevents the diesel from freezing at low temperatures and clogging the fuel system.

Diesel storage management: Diesel storage containers should be placed indoors or in a place with good thermal insulation measures. If it can only be placed outdoors, the oil storage tank can be insulated, such as wrapping insulation materials (such as rock wool, polyurethane foam, etc.). At the same time, it is necessary to minimize the air content in the diesel storage container, because the moisture in the air will condense on the container wall and drip into the diesel, increasing the moisture content of the diesel, which can easily lead to freezing at low temperatures.

Second, the maintenance of coolant

Use antifreeze: Antifreeze is key to preventing coolant from freezing at low temperatures. The appropriate antifreeze should be selected according to the ambient temperature at which the generator is located. In general, the freezing point of antifreeze is 10 - 15°C lower than the local minimum temperature. For example, if the local minimum temperature is -20°C, you should choose an antifreeze with a freezing point of -30°C or lower. When adding antifreeze, to ensure that its concentration meets the requirements, different brands and models of antifreeze have different mixing ratios, and should be operated according to the instructions.

Check coolant level and quality: Check the coolant level regularly to make sure it's within the normal range. Fluid levels that are too low may cause the engine to overheat or damage cooling system components. At the same time, it is necessary to pay attention to the quality of the coolant, and if it is found that the coolant becomes turbid or has impurities, it should be replaced in time, because these impurities may affect the antifreeze performance and heat dissipation effect of the coolant.

3. Heat the generator room

Insulation of the computer room: If the generator is placed in the computer room, the walls, roof, doors and windows of the computer room should be insulated. For example, insulation boards, such as polystyrene foam boards, can be added to the walls, which have good thermal insulation properties and can effectively reduce heat exchange inside and outside the computer room. Windows and doors can be double-glazed or insulated curtains installed to reduce the ingress of cold air.

Set up heating equipment: Install heating equipment in the generator room, such as electric heaters, fan heaters, etc. When the temperature in the machine room is lower than a certain value (such as 5°C), turn on the heating equipment to keep the temperature in the machine room within the range suitable for the operation of the generator. At the same time, it is necessary to pay attention to the power selection of heating equipment to avoid potential safety hazards such as fire caused by excessive power.

Fourth, lubrication system protection

Use winter lubricants: In winter, change to lubricants suitable for low temperature environments. Winter lubricants have a lower viscosity and are able to reach the various lubricated parts of the engine more quickly at low temperatures. For example, for the oil of a diesel generator, you can choose a multi-grade oil, like 5W - 30 oil, where the number in front of the "W" indicates the fluidity of the oil at low temperatures, and the smaller the number, the better the fluidity at low temperatures.

Preheating the lubrication system: Before starting the generator, the lubrication system can be preheated with a pre-lubrication device. Some generators have their own lubrication system preheating function, which heats the oil through an electric heating element to bring it to the right operating temperature and reduce wear and tear when the engine starts.

5. Protection of other components

Keep your battery warm: Low temperatures can reduce your battery's performance. The battery can be fitted with an insulated jacket or placed in an incubator and used an electric heating element or chemical warming bag to maintain the temperature of the battery. At the same time, to ensure that the battery charging system is working properly, regularly check the battery level and electrolyte level.

Heating the air intake system: Install the air intake preheater at the air intake to heat the air entering the engine, so that the fuel and air are mixed more fully, which is conducive to the smooth start of the engine at low temperatures. The intake preheater can be electrically heated or flame-heated, depending on the specific situation of the generator.