Natural gas or LPG for an industrial generator?

Industrial gas generator sets can use different gaseous fuels. The current German Generator range separates natural-gas and LPG models. Fuel price alone is not a sufficient basis for selection; supply security, fuel quality, operating duty, site and local requirements are equally important.

Natural gas supply

Natural gas is often delivered by a local pipeline, which may support operation without onsite refilling. Confirm that the required pressure and flow are available at maximum generator load, including expected supply variation. For standby power, also assess whether the gas network remains available during the assumed emergency. A pipeline connection is not automatically a guaranteed emergency fuel source.

LPG storage and vaporisation

LPG is stored as a pressurised liquid and supplied to the engine in gaseous form. It can be used where a natural-gas connection is unavailable, but it requires a suitable storage, regulation and, where necessary, vaporisation system. Tank size, fill level, ambient temperature, maximum fuel demand and operating duration affect performance. Stored volume alone does not prove that sufficient gas can be delivered continuously.

Gas quality is part of engine selection

Gas composition is not identical at every site. Lower heating value, methane number, Wobbe index, supply pressure, stability and contaminants may affect output, knock resistance, emissions and engine approval. The acceptable limits are model-specific. A fuel specification or analysis, supply pressure and expected variation should therefore be available before final selection. Non-standard gases require explicit manufacturer confirmation.

Duty and load profile

Depending on the model, gas generator sets may be intended for standby, prime, continuous, peak-load or parallel operation. Fuel type alone does not prove suitability. Load steps, transient response, operating hours, starting requirements and grid-parallel controls must be checked against the product documentation. A gas and diesel set with the same kVA rating should not be assumed to have identical dynamic performance.

Current product range

The relaunch catalogue currently presents:

• natural-gas generator sets from 30 to 1,100 kVA with PSI, Hyundai and Scania engines
• LPG generator sets from 30 to 825 kVA with PSI and Hyundai engines

These ranges describe the catalogue and do not guarantee every rating, configuration or lead time. Selection remains model-, fuel- and project-specific.

Site, safety and approvals

The gas train supplied with the generator set, as well as site-side regulators, shut-off devices, ventilation, leak monitoring, exhaust, fire safety and installation, must comply with the rules applicable at the project site. Grid-parallel operation also requires the relevant protection, switchgear and network-operator coordination. German Generator supplies the generator set including its gas train and provides product-related consulting. It does not provide the LPG tank or vaporiser, external gas installation, or the design, installation and approval of the grid connection; these remain the responsibility of qualified project-site specialists and the relevant authorities. Emissions, economics and approvals should not be generalised across countries, sites or models.

Information required for technical sizing

Provide fuel type, required output and load profile, duty, supply pressure and flow, gas composition or supplier specification, LPG storage and temperature conditions where relevant, site and ambient conditions, preferred enclosure and local emissions, acoustic or grid requirements.