GTI Altronics Bi-Fuel Systems: How do they Work

A GTI Altronics Bi-Fuel system blends diesel fuel with natural gas in the combustion chamber. The mixture is achieved by using a pilot-ignition, fumigated gas-charge design that premixes natural gas with engine intake air and delivers the mixture to the combustion chamber through an air intake valve. The air and gas mixture ignites when the diesel injector sprays diesel fuel into the chamber. Because it ignites the air and gas mixture, the diesel fuel is referred to as a "diesel pilot." Without the diesel pilot, the natural gas’s high ignition temperature (1,300 degrees Fahrenheit) would prevent it from being ignited by the diesel compression stroke.

When applied to standby power generators, the system extends their run-time by reducing the amount of diesel they use by up to 70%. The natural gas replaces the diesel in energy equivalent amounts, which ensures a generator retains the same power and efficiency as before. In addition to extending generator run-time, the system also offers the following benefits when correctly implemented and operated: reduced need for onsite fuel storage, ability to receive interruptible gas supply, electronic control system (ECS) that monitors safety data, in-field retrofit implementation, and reduced generator emissions.

Major components of the Bi-Fuel system

GTI Altronics Bi-Fuel systems have four major components: an air fuel mixer, a gas power valve, a gas train, and a control panel.

Air fuel mixer

The air fuel mixer is located downstream of the gas power valve. For machines that have more than one point of air intake, an air fuel mixer is placed at each point. Unlike other air fuel mixers, the GTI Altronics mixer does not use an air throttle plate. After exiting the fuel mixer, the air and gas mixture enters the generator engines air intake manifold.

Gas power valve

GTI Altronics adjustable needle type gas power valve is located downstream of the gas power regulator. The valve remains in fixed position after setting the maximum gas flow rate to a generators engine. Bi-Fuel systems technicians ideally perform value adjustments.

Gas train

GTI Altronics gas train conditions and regulates natural gas prior to its entrance into a generators engine. For conditioning and regulation, the gas train uses a micron fuel filter, a manual shutoff valve, a solenoid valve, and a zero-pressure demand-type gas pressure regulator, the latter of which reduces inlet gas pressure to nearly atmospheric pressure.

Control panel

GTI Altronics control panel provides supreme engine control and safety shutdown monitoring. Integrated with GTI Altronics electronic control system (ECS) that monitors pressure and temperature points, the password-protected panel allows facilities to set ECS fault detection settings according to their unique needs. Upon sensing temperature and/or pressure faults, the ECS moves the generator to 100% diesel power and data-logs the fault information. The generator remains on diesel power until the panel is manually reset.