Alternating current generator from 50 Hz to 60 Hz

[21121956]

Hello everybody:

I beg your pardon if this is not the proper Forum for this query but, any way, even when I am Mechanical Engineer, here it goes:

There is a Diesel Generator genset, with a reciprocating turbocharged engine, Vee and 16 cylinders, delivering 13.000 kW and running at 500 RPM. This engine drives an alternating current generator, which supply an electrical net in 11 kV, 16.421 kVA, power factor of 0,8 at 50 Hz.

It is planned to put into operation this genset working in parallel to others that run at 514 RPM and are engaged to the grid delivering 13,8 kV, 22.500 kVA at 60 Hz.

The questions are:

1. Is it possible that this genset (just as it is now) can work properly in the grid of 60 Hz without any change and or modification, either in the engine, or the generator?

2. If the answer to question 1 above were yes, is it possible to expect that the generation of the same 13.000 kW can occur at a voltage of 13,8 kV and 60 Hz, or is it necessary to install a transformer bank?

3. Is there any problem with the speed of rotation of the genset, 500 RPM, in order to achieve this task in the grid of 60 Hz?

Any suggestion, comments, an address of a site on the web will be highly appreciated.

P.D. It does not matter if someone tell me I am wrong and direct me to the proper Forum for this post.

Thanks in advance

 

[icethinker]

Hello Mechanical,
here's my 2 cents...
the output frequency of an AC generator / alternator depends on the RPM... most common number of poles are 2, 4 , and 6 pole... the drive speed for 60/ 50 hz is 3600/3000 RPM for a 2 pole, 1800 / 1500 RPM for a 4 pole, 1200 / 1000 RPM for 6 pole..

sounds like you have a 12 pole generator if it makes 50 hz @ 500 RPM drive it @ 600 RPM and you will have 60hz frequency...
Voltage is controlled by the field current which is controlled by a voltage regulator... the current will be slightly less to make the same voltage at the higher RPM... I don't see a problem...

 

[21121956]

Hello everybody:

Hi icethinker, thanks for your comments.
I have made this same query in Electric power engineering forum, in thread238-216126. It is quite interesting the information submitted.

 

[Warpspeed]

I agree with icethinker. At 60 Hz the generator will be rotating faster, and if nothing else changed, the output voltage would also increase by the same proportion (11Kv to 13.2Kv).

The voltage regulator fitted to the generator will effectively reduce the generator output voltage back to the correct setting by reducing the magnetic flux in the machine.

So yes it will work fine.

What you cannot do is slow a 60Hz machine down to 50Hz, and then try to force the output voltage up.