Dual fuel engines operate with diesel-like performance

The passage discusses the performance characteristics of diesel engines versus natural gas engines, particularly in the context of oil and gas applications:

1. Transient Response: Transient response refers to how quickly an engine can respond to changes in power demands. Many oil and gas operations require engines that can swiftly adjust to varying loads. Historically, pure natural gas engines have struggled with transient response compared to diesel engines. However, selected dual fuel engines are engineered to provide comparable transient performance to diesel-only engines. This ensures they can meet the dynamic power demands typical in oil and gas applications.
2. Power Density: Diesel engines are renowned for their high power density, meaning they deliver significant power output relative to their engine size. In contrast, natural gas engines traditionally have lower power density, often requiring larger engine displacements to achieve comparable power levels to smaller diesel engines. However, advancements in technology, particularly in dual fuel engines, allow for diesel-like power density when operating in dual fuel mode. This is achieved through electronic controls and optimization, enabling efficient use of natural gas alongside diesel fuel.
3. Optimized Operating Range: Oil and gas applications often have specific duty cycles and operating conditions. Introducing dual fuel technology can require adjustments to these operating patterns to maximize fuel savings and efficiency. Dual fuel engines are designed to optimize the substitution rate of natural gas for diesel fuel within the ideal operating range of oil and gas operations. This optimization ensures that the engine operates efficiently while achieving the desired fuel savings, without compromising performance or reliability.

In summary, while diesel engines have historically been favored in oil and gas due to their robust performance and high power density, advancements in dual fuel technology have narrowed the performance gap. Dual fuel engines now offer comparable power density and transient response to diesel engines while leveraging the environmental and cost-saving benefits of natural gas. This makes dual fuel engines a viable and attractive option for modernizing operations in the oil and gas industry.