Some actual ULSD info - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 10-30-2006, 08:19 PM

FWIW, while I was (sorta) working last week I came across some info that may be of interest here.

By way of background, nuclear power stations use large diesel generators (about 4000 hp) for back up electrical power to run safety systems. They have very specific requirements for capacity and fuel consumption and they do a lot of fuel testing. Like everyone else, they are going to have to deal with ULSD. The NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) just issued this to U.S. nuclear plants:

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/gen-comm/info-notices/2006/in200622.pdf

Hatterasguy · #2 10-30-2006, 09:58 PM

Interesting. Other than some fuel leaks, I'm not to worried about ULSD.

Matt L · #3 10-30-2006, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Interesting. Other than some fuel leaks, I'm not to worried about ULSD.

I'm more worried about potential lubricity problems. Leaks can be easily fixed; bore wear cannot.

Hatterasguy · #4 10-30-2006, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

I'm more worried about potential lubricity problems. Leaks can be easily fixed; bore wear cannot.

Did you read the artical? They are not worried.

#5 10-30-2006, 10:51 PM

I'm not worried. My engine is running better than ever on ULSD with no other changes.

AlanTbird · #6 10-31-2006, 09:58 PM

Ive been lucky till today at finding stations that had not yet changed over but was forced to fill up with the ULSD today so just for fun I threw in a pint of crisco veg oil to male me feel better.

cheers

Matt L · #7 10-31-2006, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Did you read the artical? They are not worried.

I read the article in full before I responded. They mention possible batches of fuel with low lubricity. Read it again yourself.

Shorebilly · #8 10-31-2006, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

FWIW, while I was (sorta) working last week I came across some info that may be of interest here.

By way of background, nuclear power stations use large diesel generators (about 4000 hp) for back up electrical power to run safety systems. They have very specific requirements for capacity and fuel consumption and they do a lot of fuel testing. Like everyone else, they are going to have to deal with ULSD. The NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) just issued this to U.S. nuclear plants:

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/gen-comm/info-notices/2006/in200622.pdf

I thought it was Homer Simpson who works at a Nuclear reactor...??

Read the article.....the part that I found to be interesting was the concern for Max Load output due to reduced BTU content of ULSD......I wonder why the reactors are built with marginal "emergency" power....marginal enough for this to become an issue..........hmmmmmmm?????

SB

#9 11-01-2006, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shorebilly

I thought it was Homer Simpson who works at a Nuclear reactor...??

Read the article.....the part that I found to be interesting was the concern for Max Load output due to reduced BTU content of ULSD......I wonder why the reactors are built with marginal "emergency" power....marginal enough for this to become an issue..........hmmmmmmm?????

SB

That's me, Homer.

The issue isn't the actual margin, that have plenty of margin above what they would actually need for an emergency. However, their operating license includes specific diesel generator capacities that they have to meet and requires that they have enough fuel available for a specific amount of time. They are not allowed to reduce those margins below the values that are in their license. They have lots of analyses and test results that were based on the energy content of the old fuel, now they will have to reanalyze and/or retest based on the new fuel. This is primarily a compliance issue.