Fuel Control Key to Meeting Emissions Limits

Water Injection Application Opts for Engine Rather Than Electric Power
Enticed by a grant offered by the state of California`s Energy Commission, Tidelands Oil Production Co. of Southern California found a way to make good use of on-site gas and lower its utility bill at the same time. Tidelands recently installed a Waukesha Engine VHP P9390 GSI and pump package fueled by gas previously flared into the atmosphere. The package replaced an electric motor driven unit, but it was only after controls from Continental Controls Corp. were installed that the engine operated efficiently within the strict air quality limits.

Air quality limits in California are among the most stringent found anywhere. The Waukesha VHP P9390 GSI engine emits below 1 ppm NOX and 12 ppm CO, well below half of the strict limits using a nonselective catalyst supplied by DCL International, designed for a rich-burn engine. The CO2 varies with the Btu of the gas, and the Continental fuel valve quickly increases or decreases the amount of fuel entering the carburetor allowing the engine to run within the tight limits so the exhaust oxygen level stays the same. The site uses GE/Fanuc controls, and the engine and pump were packaged by Pump Systems International, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.