Now, MiG engines may light homes

Tronic · 06-06-2006, 00:08 AM

Quote:

Now, MiG engines may light homes

Dhananjay Khadilkar
Sunday, June 04, 2006 21:40 IST

OZHAR/NASHIK: The twin problems of depletion of conventional energy resources and the rise of pollution to alarming levels have forced our country to deliberate upon alternative sources of power generation. So, even as the specialists try to find a solution to this pressing problem, an Indo-Russian company has come up with a strikingly new method for generating power. Shocking though it may sound, but the Ozhar based Indo-Russian Aviation Limited (IRAL) has started exploiting used fighter aircraft engines to produce power.

IRAL’s prototype plant, located in Russia, uses MiG engine as a power generator. Work on a similar type of power plant, which however will use the gas turbine engine of a smaller Russian aircraft (D 049), is expected to begin this July. This 2 MW plant will be built at Korwa in Amethi and will supply power to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Korwa unit.

So what made IRAL come up with such a radical approach to power generation? Rajesh Bharati, CEO of IRAL, says, “We wanted to utilise the used engines of fighter aircrafts at HAL. Suddenly, the Russians showed interest and came up with this concept.”

Like the fighter aircrafts themselves, the MiG engines are a favourite with IRAL officials. “They are formidable sources of power, says Bharati. “A single MiG 21 engine can generate around 13 MW of power while a MiG 27 engine can produce 25 MW.”

There are 400 such engines which can be utilised by IRAL. Out of these, more than 80 per cent are the MiG 21s while the remaining comprise of other members of the MiG family. Though these engines are not flying anymore, Bharati insists they are not sub-standard. “As a policy, engines are changed after they clock particular flying hours regardless of the condition they are in.”

“All the 400 engines are in good shape,” he adds. However before the aircraft engine can be put to use in a power plant, it undergoes modification. Bharati lists two main reasons for modifying the engine.

“Engines are modified primarily to increase their lifespan from a mere 500 hours to 1,00,000 hours with a continuous running operation. Modification is also needed so that it suits the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel instead of the Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) that is used while flying,” he adds.

The fuel change apparently doesn’t affect the engine’s power output. In fact, the calorific value of CNG is more than ATF. However, availability and pricing of CNG is the biggest hurdle that IRAL is facing.

“A single MiG 21 engine consumes 3500 m3 of CNG per hour. In order to set up a moderate-sized power plant, we need lots of CNG whose availability is a big problem,” he says adding, “They are not only cheaper than diesel and thermal plants, but they are environment friendly and easy to build as well.”

“If the government makes a special allocation of CNG for power generation, we may be able to realise the tremendous potential of such units,” Bharati says. HAL has shown its willingness to manufacture these customised engines at its Koraput plant.

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/n...hp?newsid=6311

I was just wondering... isn't CNG actually cheaper then Petroleam and Diesel??? and LPG is also becoming widely used in many vehicles here... the SNK kit is probably one of the top kits for fitting in LPG right now...

indianguy4u · 06-06-2006, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tronic

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/n...hp?newsid=6311

I was just wondering... isn't CNG actually cheaper then Petroleam and Diesel??? and LPG is also becoming widely used in many vehicles here... the SNK kit is probably one of the top kits for fitting in LPG right now...

Not only is CNG cheaper but alot less polluting too.

Tronic · 06-07-2006, 21:12 PM

yeah, thats why it's used in all the Public transportation in most metropolis cities. But most people still opt for LPG to use in their cars... maybe because of more LPG stations then CNG???

anand1266 · 06-08-2006, 06:06 AM

if this article is true....then it will bring revolution LOL
iam actually feeling happy

Tronic · 06-08-2006, 15:25 PM

it's just a concept... it hasn't been approved as far as I know... it is just to say "it is possible", only if the scientists get support... (and an easier supply of CNG)

Dragoon · 06-08-2006, 19:20 PM

A lot of the new power plants in The US are suing Gas Turbines ( jet engines ) to power them using CNG, so far they have proven to be a lot better than other types of power, cheaper, cleaner and easier to power up and shut down.

Using a surplus jet engine as a generator is ver close to true Genius

**Officer of Engineers** · 06-08-2006, 19:44 PM

Long time no see

mpv107 · 04-06-2008, 21:34 PM

I visited a seminar on this subject about 1.5 years ago. So there must be further development. Can you update me?

gunnut · 04-07-2008, 20:09 PM

There are a few of these "peaker" plants in my county. Residents nearby (virtually next door, just a few hundred feet away) are complaining about the noise when the turbine starts, and during the run. Most people are not used to the compressed air or explosive charge needed to start a jet engine as they sound like bombs going off. The continuous whine of the turbine is also unpleasant to some people. These plants are also very inefficient because large amount of energy is being lost in the form of heat.

These are the major drawbacks of turbine based peaker plants.

The advantages are these are relatively cheap to build. They are easy to build. They are fast to build (less hassle on environmental impact studies). You can put one up in about a year. They are easier to start up and shut down.

Indirect Fire · 04-13-2008, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunnut

There are a few of these "peaker" plants in my county. Residents nearby (virtually next door, just a few hundred feet away) are complaining about the noise when the turbine starts, and during the run. Most people are not used to the compressed air or explosive charge needed to start a jet engine as they sound like bombs going off. The continuous whine of the turbine is also unpleasant to some people. These plants are also very inefficient because large amount of energy is being lost in the form of heat.

These are the major drawbacks of turbine based peaker plants.

The advantages are these are relatively cheap to build. They are easy to build. They are fast to build (less hassle on environmental impact studies). You can put one up in about a year. They are easier to start up and shut down.

Well, there go your property prices.

06-08-2006, 19:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dragoon Regular Join Date: 08-11-04 Posts: 128	A lot of the new power plants in The US are suing Gas Turbines ( jet engines ) to power them using CNG, so far they have proven to be a lot better than other types of power, cheaper, cleaner and easier to power up and shut down. Using a surplus jet engine as a generator is ver close to true Genius __________________ Yes..,You have the right To Speak, however I have the right not to listen

06-08-2006, 19:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
Officer of Engineers *Military Professional* Moderator Scotch taster Join Date: 08-06-03 Posts: 16,650 Country:	Long time no see __________________ Chimo

04-06-2008, 21:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
mpv107 New Member Join Date: 04-06-08 Posts: 3	Do you have any further development details? I visited a seminar on this subject about 1.5 years ago. So there must be further development. Can you update me?

04-07-2008, 20:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
gunnut *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 01-27-06 Location: DPRK, Democratik People's Republik of Kalifornia Posts: 9,877 Country:	There are a few of these "peaker" plants in my county. Residents nearby (virtually next door, just a few hundred feet away) are complaining about the noise when the turbine starts, and during the run. Most people are not used to the compressed air or explosive charge needed to start a jet engine as they sound like bombs going off. The continuous whine of the turbine is also unpleasant to some people. These plants are also very inefficient because large amount of energy is being lost in the form of heat. These are the major drawbacks of turbine based peaker plants. The advantages are these are relatively cheap to build. They are easy to build. They are fast to build (less hassle on environmental impact studies). You can put one up in about a year. They are easier to start up and shut down. __________________ "Only Nixon can go to China." -- Old Vulcan proverb.

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06-07-2006, 21:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tronic Navajo Code Talker *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 12-27-04 Location: Patiala, India Posts: 5,361 Country:	yeah, thats why it's used in all the Public transportation in most metropolis cities. But most people still opt for LPG to use in their cars... maybe because of more LPG stations then CNG???

06-08-2006, 06:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
anand1266 Patron Join Date: 03-06-06 Posts: 154	if this article is true....then it will bring revolution LOL iam actually feeling happy

06-08-2006, 15:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tronic Navajo Code Talker *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 12-27-04 Location: Patiala, India Posts: 5,361 Country:	it's just a concept... it hasn't been approved as far as I know... it is just to say "it is possible", only if the scientists get support... (and an easier supply of CNG)

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