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BACKGROUND
Vykson has evolved from work first started by Dr
David Artt of Queen's University Belfast on low cost target drone
engines (jet engines). This was followed by the partnership of David
Artt with James Oakley in 1985 who, trading as Dynos Turbines Ltd
developed the first turbine powered blower engine for discharging
road going bulk powder tankers. This blower engine was competitive
in cost with diesel engine driven blowers, and had a large weight
saving potential. A number of further developments for other
applications followed as the examples on this site
show.
During the late nineties Dr Stephen Spence joined the
Company, and we continued to build up specialized knowledge and
expertise for small ‘waste fuel’ turbine engines (including design
of our own turbine and compressor rotors) that are specifically
manufactured for the renewable/green power generation
market.
These engines differ from conventional microturbines
in that they are not particularly small size, and in the main use
proven technology that is applied in a novel way to suit the fuels
used, and the operating environment. They are designed for
reliability and ease of maintenance, whilst using conventional low
speed power generation equipment.
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VYKSON BLOWER
ENGINE
This small 'low cost'
gas turbine engine was developed to replace existing diesel
engine driven blowers for Bulk Powder Tankers. The primary
advantage was a weight saving of 500 Kg over conventional
blowers, thereby offering increased payload. Selling price was
also competitive as well. The other advantages are: simple
operation, smooth pulse free air supply, clean 'oil free' air,
no liquid cooling system required, impossible to 'over
pressure' system, no vibration, low maintenance and low noise
levels.
The engine design is based on the use of
turbocharger compressor and turbine wheels, which form the
core of our own design of turbine engine. Air is bled from the
engine compressor for blowing. Starting is by compressed air
held in supplementary reservoirs, which are connected to the
truck braking system for air supply. The electrics for oil and
fuel pump operation are also taken from the truck. The fuel
used is diesel.
The Figure
1 shows the engine installed in the
nose cone of a bulk powder tanker, with engine access door and
silencer. Figure 2 shows the first demonstration of the free
standing prototype engine connected to a cement
tanker. Figure 3 shows the engine packaged for mobile
demonstrations. Figure
4 shows the air intake/access door to
the cement blower engine installation. Over 2000 blowing
operations were proven during the field trial period with this
installation, with an average blowing rate of one tonne per
minute on cement.
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VYKSON
60
This was a further development of the blower
engine to provide a prime mover for high-speed alternators.
This engine is rated at 60kW, although it has been uprated to
90 kW for other applications. It was supplied to companies who
were developing high-speed generators.
Figure 5 shows the 60 kW engine in a
frame with all ancillaries, ready for mounting the high speed
alternator on the front flange.
Figure 6 shows the 90 kW
version packaged in a soundproof box.
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VYKSON 60
LFG
This again was a further
development of the basic Vykson 60 engine, and the prime purpose
was to burn low quality Landfill Gas in the range of 30% to
12% Methane. This required the development of a special burner
(as seen in the photographs) and following over two years
development and field trials worked extremely well in burning
down to 12% Methane with no pilot fuel. Combustion was very
stable and with exceptionally good emissions.
In
conjunction with this a small turbine driven centrifugal
compressor was used to take the LFG from the gas collection
manifold and compress it for combustion.
This
containerised package was offered as an alternative to venting
this low quality gas, which in many cases was of to low a
quality to flare off. However, we did not have the financial
resource to add a generator to this engine, which would have
then made a much more marketable product.
Figure 7 shows the
containerised engine on a landfill site during testing, with
gas collection manifold from several gas wells. Figure 8 shows part of
the burner with gas control valve over it, and the engine with
the gas compressor above it. Propane is used for starting and
then the fuel is automatically switched to LFG only once up
and running.
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For
further information
please contact us:
info@vykson.com
+44 (0) 1689
601286
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