Power Systems Protection and Relaying code numbers

In North America protective relays are generally referred to by standard device numbers. Letters

are sometimes added to specify the application (IEEE Standard C37.2-2008).

Following the ANSI/IEEE Standard Device Numbers (the more commonly used ones are in bold)

1 - Master Element
2 - Time Delay Starting or Closing Relay
3 - Checking or Interlocking Relay
4 - Master Contactor
5 - Stopping Device
6 - Starting Circuit Breaker
7 – Rate of Change Relay
8 - Control Power Disconnecting Device
9 - Reversing Device
10 - Unit Sequence Switch
11 – Multifunction Device
12 - Overspeed Device
13 - Synchronous-speed Device
14 - Underspeed Device
15 - Speed or Frequency-Matching Device
16 – Data Communications Device
20 - Elect. operated valve (solenoid valve)
21 - Distance Relay
23 - Temperature Control Device
24 – Volts per Hertz Relay
25 - Synchronizing or Synchronism-Check Device
26 - Apparatus Thermal Device
27 - Undervoltage Relay
30 - Annunciator Relay
32 - Directional Power Relay
36 - Polarity or Polarizing Voltage Devices
37 - Undercurrent or Underpower Relay
38 - Bearing Protective Device
39 - Mechanical Conduction Monitor
40 –Field (over/under excitation) Relay
41 - Field Circuit Breaker
42 - Running Circuit Breaker
43 - Manual Transfer or Selector Device
46 – Rev. phase or Phase-Bal. Current Relay
47 - Phase-Seq. or Phase-Bal. Voltage Relay
48 - Incomplete-Sequence Relay
49 - Machine or Transformer Thermal Relay
50 - Instantaneous Overcurrent
51 - AC Time Overcurrent Relay
52 - AC Circuit Breaker
53 – Field Excitation Relay
55 - Power Factor Relay
56 - Field Application Relay
59 - Overvoltage Relay
60 - Voltage or Current Balance Relay
62 - Time-Delay Stopping or Opening Relay
63 - Pressure Switch
64 - Ground Detector Relay
65 - Governor
66 – Notching or jogging device
67 - AC Directional Overcurrent Relay
68 - Blocking or “out of step” Relay
69 - Permissive Control Device
74 - Alarm Relay
75 - Position Changing Mechanism
76 - DC Overcurrent Relay
78 - Phase-Angle Measuring Relay
79 - AC-Reclosing Relay
81 - Frequency Relay
83 - Automatic Selective Control or Transfer Relay
84 - Operating Mechanism
85 – Pliot Communications, Carrier or Pilot-Wire Relay
86 - Lockout Relay
87 - Differential Protective Relay
89 - Line Switch
90 - Regulating Device
91 - Voltage Directional Relay
92 - Voltage and Power Directional Relay
94 - Tripping or Trip-Free Relay
B – Bus
F - Field
G – Ground or generator
N – Neutral
T – Transformer

What is Engine Cycle ?

The term "engine cycle" typically refers to the sequence of events that occur within an internal combustion engine during one complete operation. There are several types of engine cycles, but the most common ones are the Otto cycle and the Diesel cycle.

1. Otto Cycle: This is the cycle used in gasoline engines. It consists of four strokes:

   • Intake Stroke: The intake valve opens, allowing the air-fuel mixture to enter the combustion chamber as the piston moves down.
   • Compression Stroke: Both intake and exhaust valves close, and the piston moves up, compressing the air-fuel mixture.
   • Power Stroke: When the air-fuel mixture is compressed, a spark plug ignites it, causing an explosion that drives the piston down, producing power.
   • Exhaust Stroke: Finally, the exhaust valve opens, and the piston moves up, pushing the burnt gases out of the combustion chamber.

2. Diesel Cycle: This cycle is used in diesel engines and is similar to the Otto cycle but differs in the method of ignition. It also consists of four strokes:

   • Intake Stroke: The intake valve opens, allowing air into the cylinder.
   • Compression Stroke: The air is compressed highly, raising its temperature. Fuel is then injected directly into the cylinder near the top of the compression stroke.
   • Power Stroke: The injected fuel ignites due to the high temperature of the compressed air, driving the piston down.
   • Exhaust Stroke: The exhaust valve opens, and the piston moves up, expelling the exhaust gases.

These cycles are fundamental to the operation of internal combustion engines and are the basis for the efficiency and performance characteristics of various engine designs.

Standard diesel engine cycle

The standard diesel engine cycle, also known as the Diesel cycle, is a theoretical thermodynamic cycle that represents the operation of a diesel engine. It was first proposed by Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine. The Diesel cycle consists of four distinct processes:

1. Intake Stroke: The intake valve opens, and fresh air is drawn into the cylinder as the piston moves downward. Unlike in gasoline engines, no fuel is introduced during this stroke.

2. Compression Stroke: Once the intake valve closes, the piston moves upward, compressing the air within the cylinder. This compression process raises the temperature of the air significantly, typically to temperatures high enough to ignite diesel fuel.

3. Power Stroke: Near the top of the compression stroke, fuel is injected into the highly compressed, hot air. The fuel instantly ignites due to the high temperature, causing rapid combustion and an increase in pressure within the cylinder. This pressure forces the piston downward, producing power.

4. Exhaust Stroke: As the piston reaches the bottom of its stroke, the exhaust valve opens, and the piston moves upward again, pushing the burnt gases out of the cylinder.

The Diesel cycle is characterized by constant-pressure heat addition (combustion) and constant-volume heat rejection (exhaust). This cycle is different from the Otto cycle, which is used in gasoline engines, primarily in the method of ignition—diesel engines rely on the heat generated by compression to ignite the fuel, while gasoline engines use spark plugs for ignition. Diesel engines are known for their high efficiency and torque output, making them popular in applications such as heavy-duty trucks, buses, and industrial machinery.

The difference between TBN and TAN

TBN (Total Base Number) and TAN (Total Acid Number) are both measures used in the analysis of lubricants and oils, particularly in engines, to assess their condition and performance. However, they represent different aspects of the oil chemistry:

1. Total Base Number (TBN):

   • TBN measures the reserve alkalinity of an oil, indicating its ability to neutralize acids formed during the combustion process in an engine.
   • It represents the amount of alkaline additives, such as detergents and dispersants, present in the oil to counteract the acidic by-products of combustion and chemical degradation.
   • Higher TBN values indicate greater acid-neutralizing capability and, therefore, better protection against corrosion and wear caused by acidic compounds.

2. Total Acid Number (TAN):

   • TAN measures the acidity of an oil, specifically the amount of acidic components present in the oil due to oxidation, thermal degradation, and contamination.
   • It reflects the concentration of acidic contaminants, such as oxidation products, organic acids, and inorganic acids, which can corrode engine components and degrade the lubricating properties of the oil.
   • Increasing TAN values indicate higher levels of acidic compounds and potential degradation of the oil, which may necessitate oil changes or other maintenance actions to prevent engine damage.

In summary, while TBN indicates the alkaline reserve of an oil to neutralize acids, TAN measures the actual acidity level of the oil due to various factors. Monitoring both TBN and TAN is essential for assessing the condition and performance of lubricants and oils in engine applications, helping to ensure proper lubrication and prolonging the life of engine components.

TBN In Diesel Engine Oils

In diesel engine oils, Total Base Number (TBN) plays a critical role in maintaining engine health and performance. Here's why TBN is significant in diesel engine oils:

1. Neutralization of Acids: During the combustion process in a diesel engine, various acidic by-products are formed, including sulfuric acid and other acidic compounds. These acids can lead to corrosion of engine components and degradation of the oil's lubricating properties. The TBN of the oil indicates its ability to neutralize these acidic compounds, thereby preventing corrosion and maintaining oil stability.

2. Protection Against Wear: Acidic compounds can accelerate wear on engine parts, such as piston rings, cylinder liners, and bearings. By neutralizing these acids, diesel engine oils with a sufficient TBN help protect critical engine components from premature wear and extend their service life.

3. Extended Drain Intervals: The TBN of diesel engine oils influences the recommended oil change intervals. Oils with higher TBN values typically have greater acid-neutralizing capacity and can maintain their effectiveness for a longer period, allowing for extended drain intervals. This can result in cost savings and reduced maintenance downtime for diesel engine operators.

4. Performance in High-Sulfur Environments: Diesel fuels with higher sulfur content can lead to increased formation of acidic by-products during combustion. Engine oils with higher TBN values are better equipped to handle these conditions, providing enhanced protection against corrosion and maintaining oil stability in high-sulfur environments.

5. Oil Condition Monitoring: Regular monitoring of TBN levels is essential for assessing the health and effectiveness of diesel engine oils. TBN analysis helps determine when the oil's acid-neutralizing capacity is depleted, indicating the need for an oil change to prevent potential engine damage.

In summary, TBN is a crucial parameter in diesel engine oils, providing protection against acidic corrosion, minimizing wear on engine components, extending oil change intervals, and ensuring optimal engine performance, particularly in challenging operating environments with high sulfur content.

Power Plant Generators: What is Excitation?

Excitation in the context of power plant generators refers to the process of energizing the rotor winding to produce a magnetic field. This magnetic field induces voltage in the stator windings, which generates electric power.

Here's how excitation works in a simplified manner:

1. Rotor and Stator: A power plant generator typically consists of a rotor and a stator. The rotor is the rotating part of the generator, while the stator is the stationary part.

2. Field Windings: The rotor contains field windings, which are electromagnets. When direct current (DC) is passed through these windings, they generate a magnetic field around the rotor.

3. Excitation System: The excitation system is responsible for supplying the necessary DC power to the field windings. This system typically includes components such as exciter generators, voltage regulators, and control systems.

4. Magnetic Field Generation: When the field windings are energized, they create a strong magnetic field around the rotor. This magnetic field is essential for the generation of electric power.

5. Voltage Induction: As the rotor rotates within the stator windings, the changing magnetic field induces voltage in the stator windings through electromagnetic induction. This induced voltage produces alternating current (AC) in the stator windings.

6. Electric Power Generation: The AC produced in the stator windings is then transmitted to the electrical grid or used locally to power electrical loads, such as homes, industries, or commercial buildings.

Overall, excitation is a critical process in power plant generators as it establishes the magnetic field necessary for the generation of electric power. The excitation system ensures that the field windings receive the appropriate DC voltage to maintain the desired level of magnetic field strength, thereby enabling the generator to produce stable and reliable electrical output.

Fuel Characteristic Definition as per ISO 8217:2010

ISO specification 8217 stipulates acceptable characteristics of marine fuel oil products. In order to understand the relative importance of each characteristic it is important to understand the definition. The following definitions are deemed useful to users of marine fuels products.

Viscosity A measure of fluid resistance to flow. Viscosity of fuel oil decreases with increasing temperature. The viscosity of the fuel oil at the point of injection into the engine is key to performance. Viscosity is used to classify residual fuel types but is not a key indicator of fuel quality. For example, all other characteristics being equal, a fuel of 360 cSt is of no better or worse quality than a fuel of 400 cSt, it is just less viscous.

Density Mass per unit volume of a product. It is used to convert the volume delivered into the quantity purchased. Density varies with temperature and is an important parameter in the onboard purification of the marine fuel product.

Calculated Carbon Aromaticity Index (CCAI) The most widely accepted empirical formula to estimate the ignition quality of fuel oil. CCAI uses the physical properties of density (d) and viscosity (V) in the following equation: CCAI = d - 81 –141*log [log (V+0.85)]

Sulfur Sulfur is the main inorganic component of fuel. It occurs naturally in crude oils and tends to concentrate in the heavier fractions. Sulfur concentration in fuel oil strongly influences the choice of lubricant. Energy content of fuel oil diminishes with increasing sulfur.

Flash Point Flash point is the minimum temperature at which vapours released from the fuel oil will ignite when exposed to an open flame. The flash point of a blended fuel oil is the same as that of the lightest component in the fuel oil product.

Acid Generally, marine fuel products should not contain inorganic acids, however ISO 8217 allows for minimal acceptable levels.

Sediment Sediment in distillates is composed mainly of rust, general dirt & scale. Marine fuel oil sediment can be both inorganic and organic in nature.

Carbon Residue Carbon residue is a measure of the carbonaceous material left after the volatile components of a fuel have been vaporized in the absence of air. It is used to estimate the potential of a fuel to create deposits in an engine upon combustion.

Pour Point The pour point of a fluid is the lowest temperature at which it ceases to flow. In fuels, the pour point is largely determined by the petroleum wax content in the oil. Pour point determines the minimum temperature required for storage and handling onboard of fuel oil products.

Ash Ash is the carbon free (inorganic) residue remaining after completely burning the fuel in air. It occurs naturally in crude oils and tends to concentrate in the heavier fractions. Ash can contain hard and erosive particles, some of which may also be corrosive.

Vanadium Vanadium is a metal occurring naturally in some crude oils and is concentrated in residual components during refining. In high concentration, it can form high melting point, corrosive deposits. In combination with sodium, it can form lower melting point, oxygen deficient deposits.

Sodium Sodium occurs naturally in crude oils and is concentrated in residual streams during refining. It can be introduced into fuel streams as a scavenger used to control the hydrogen sulfide content of fuel oil, via salt water contamination, or through sodium ingress into a marine diesel engine due to salt water saturated air.

Cat Fines Cat fines contamination in fuel oil is caused by carryover of catalytic material used in the refining process and evidenced by the presence of Alumina and Silica. Cat fines are hard and abrasive.

Used Lubricant (or Lube) Oil Some used lube oil may contain components harmful to an engine, but all used lube oils may not necessarily be unfit for purpose. Some additives used to identify used lube oil such as calcium are naturally occurring in crude oil and hence residual fuel. Test methods are designed to eliminate false positives.

Calcium A soft grey alkaline earth metal, the fifth most abundant element in the earth’s crust. Essential for living organisms, particularly in cell physiology, and is the most common metal in many animals. Calcium occurs naturally in crude oils. It is introduced into the combustion space via cylinder lubrication oil. The alkaline Total Base Number (TBN) additives of cylinder lube oil contain calcium. Calcium is concentrated in the residual part of the refinery process as lighter products are removed.

Compatibility Compatibility of a fuel is a function of the stability of the two individually stable oils used to blend marine fuel oil when they are co-mingled. Heavy marine fuels are complex mixtures of hydrocarbons. Some very large molecules called asphaltenes are held in suspension by maltenes. Mixing fuels can adversely affect this equilibrium.