Fuel efficiency, turbine vs stroke generator

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around comparing the fuel efficiency of turbine generators versus stroke generators, focusing on specific models and their performance metrics. Participants explore theoretical and practical aspects of fuel consumption and energy output, while also considering factors influencing the popularity of these technologies for home use.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents data on a Honda stroke engine generator, claiming it produces 1,300 kW per liter of fuel.
  • Another participant critiques the use of "power per liter of fuel" as ambiguous, suggesting "output energy per liter of fuel" is more descriptive and provides a calculation yielding 1.65 kWh/liter.
  • A participant shares anecdotal evidence of a Lister engine achieving 0.125 gallons per kilowatt-hour with a 2500-watt load.
  • Concerns are raised about the efficiency of small-scale turbine generators, noting the need for precise micro-engineering.
  • Participants discuss the potential reasons for the limited popularity of turbine generators, including capital expenditure, maintenance costs, and familiarity with technology.
  • There is a request for clarification on the power output of a turbine generator based on its fuel consumption, with a calculation presented that may contain errors.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the efficiency of turbine versus stroke generators, with some suggesting turbine generators are generally more efficient while others highlight challenges with small-scale implementations. The discussion remains unresolved regarding which generator type is definitively more fuel efficient.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention potential calculation errors and ambiguities in units of measurement, indicating a need for clarity on energy versus power metrics. There are also references to specific models and their specifications, which may not be universally applicable.

Lrn
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Hi,

I'm trying to figure which is more fuel efficient, turbine vs stroke generators.

This honda stroke engine generator does 1000w for 3.8 hrs with 0.6 gallons of fuel or 2.3 liters, so the power per liter of fuel is 1,300 kW.

http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/models/eu1000i

Then I found this turbine generator that claims to generate 1.2 kW while consuming about 0.8 liters of fuel.

http://static.bladonjets.com/documents/41-2395-bladon-12kw-micro-turbine-genset-dec-2014.pdf

So, the power per liter is 1,200 kW / 0.8 = 1,500 kW per liter.

Mind that the cost of fuel is even cheaper with the turbine, considering that the turbine generator can run on kerosene, I'm not sure about the Honda generator, for the sake of comparison, let's assume both are running on petrol.

So, the question, are turbine generators more fuel efficient? If so why are they not popular For home use? Cost? Are there any other small turbine generators out there for comparison?

I appreciate your response.
 
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Lrn said:
Hi,

I'm trying to figure which is more fuel efficient, turbine vs stroke generators.

This honda stroke engine generator does 1000w for 3.8 hrs with 0.6 gallons of fuel or 2.3 liters, so the power per liter of fuel is 1,300 kW.


'Power per litre of fuel' is an ambiguous unit and your units aren't consistent
Output energy/litre fuel is more descriptive,
eg
1000W * (3.8hr /2.3l) = 1.65 kWhr / litre =5.94 MJ / litre (MJ = Megajoules)

As for the rest of your questions, I'd guess capex, maintenance costs, familiarity and availability all play a part.
 
I know of a guy who got .125 gallons per kilowat hour running a lister 6/1 with a 2500 watt load.
 
billy_joule said:
'Power per litre of fuel' is an ambiguous unit and your units aren't consistent
Output energy/litre fuel is more descriptive,
eg
1000W * (3.8hr /2.3l) = 1.65 kWhr / litre =5.94 MJ / litre (MJ = Megajoules)

As for the rest of your questions, I'd guess capex, maintenance costs, familiarity and availability all play a part.

Ok. Based on the specs of that machine, (visit the link) what is the amount of power that it can generate (in watts) with 1 liter of fuel? That's because the other turbine generator has a graph that shows consumption per liter relative to power output, that's why I'd also like this to be in liters. I may have calculated it wrong.

Just check what I used below.

1000w for 3.8 hrs = 3,800w
3,800w / 2.8L = 1,357 watts per liter (I just put 1,300 in the first post)

Is the above calculation correct?
 
Last edited:
HowlerMonkey said:
I know of a guy who got .125 gallons per kilowat hour running a lister 6/1 with a 2500 watt load.
Very impressive! Checking it out. Thx.
 
Turbine generators are I think generally agreed to be one of the most efficient methods of converting chemical fuel to other kinds of energy,
However I think there is a problem with very small scale ones, you need really precise micro engineering, hard to get it right.
 
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rootone said:
Turbine generators are I think generally agreed to be one of the most efficient methods of converting chemical fuel to other kinds of energy,
However I think there is a problem with very small scale ones, you need really precise micro engineering, hard to get it right.
Noted.
 
Lrn said:
Ok. Based on the specs of that machine, (visit the link) what is the amount of power that it can generate (in watts) with 1 liter of fuel? That's because the other turbine generator has a graph that shows consumption per liter relative to power output, that's why I'd also like this to be in liters. I may have calculated it wrong.

Just check what I used below.

1000w for 3.8 hrs = 3,800w
3,800w / 2.8L = 1,357 watts per liter (I just put 1,300 in the first post)

Is the above calculation correct?

Watts is a unit of power; energy per time (joules / second). if power is multiplied by time the result is just energy:
Power * time = ( Energy/time) *time = Energy
WattHour is a common unit of energy, it's probably on your electricity bill, the SI unit of energy is Joules:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joule#Conversions
0.6 gallons is, according to google, 2.3 litres, not 2.8 (you had 2.3 L in your OP so I guess 2.8 L a typo), so the correct calculation is in post #2.
 

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