For the week of 2/16-2/20, we were able to establish a connection between the reciprocating engine test bed and APEP’s local natural gas line. In order to accomplish this task, we had to connect a hose from the line source to the test bed and make sure that the natural gas flowed to the engine at 11 inches of water. Since this pressure level is so low, we used a U-tube manometer to measure the pressure level coming from the local natural gas line. The initial natural gas line connection did not have a sensitive enough spring to bring the pressure down to 11 inches of water. Fortunately, another more sensitive spring was found which allowed us to distribute the natural gas at 11 inches of water. We also ran the engine while the natural gas was flowing and found no discernable issues. This is a huge step forward in our project because it ensures that emissions data and other engine parameters can be calculated using the correct equipment. In the coming weeks, we will narrow our scope of parameters that need to be calculated and begin initial steps toward designing tools that can be used for measuring some of these parameters. The parameters that we measure from the engine will be used to make engineering calculations such as efficiencies, heat transfer values, combustion analysis, and the power generated by the system. Attached is a picture of the U-tube manometer we used to ensure that the natural gas operated at 11 inches of water.

By Christopher Ferro, Engine Test Bed