What Is Wet Stacking? We’re Hiring!

Diesel engines have been in use for well over a century now. The first
successful diesel engine test was performed by Rudolf Diesel back in We're
1897, where he demonstrated that the diesel engine (named after the always
man himself) had an efficiency of 26% as compared to the other hiring
popular option at the time – steam engine – which had an efficiency of experienced
about 10%. technicians.

Over the years, the diesel engine has been developed and improved
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further, finding use in many applications including vehicle engines,
construction equipment, ships, diesel generators, and many other
heavy duty equipment.

Diesel engine generators are one of the most important and reliable Contact Us
sources of power in many fields including hospitals, mining fields,
military zones, commercial industries, construction sites,
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transportation, and more. The generators work by burning fuel in
order to produce motion, which is then turned into electricity by using
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electromagnets. They are used to generate power in places with little
or no connection to a power grid, or as an emergency power backup
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when the power grid fails, or for other complex applications such as
providing power support to the grid. Company Name
Diesel engines are known for their reliability, power, and durability, but
they are not immune to complications such as overheating and wet Email

stacking.
How
Wet stacking refers to a condition where a diesel engine has a thick, can we
dark liquid substance dripping from its exhausts. The condition occurs help
when a diesel engine’s un-used/unburned fuel, carbon particles, and you?

accumulated moisture gather around the exhaust system components.

This may happen due to various reasons, but mainly occurs when the
engine is operated at light loads for a long period of time; hence diesel
fuel is not properly burnt off during use. The engine ends up sending
unburned fuel and soot (carbon particles) to the exhaust system.
What Causes Wet Stacking?
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As mentioned above, wet stacking mainly occurs when a diesel engine
is operated at light loads for a long period of time and thus diesel fuel
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is not properly burnt during combustion. In order for a diesel engine to
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run at maximum efficiency, it has to maintain an exact air-to-fuel ratio
just like all other internal combustion engines. It also has to maintain a
designated operational temperature to have a complete fuel burn. SUBMIT

However, when the diesel engine is operated on light loads, it does not
attain the designated operating temperature. Operating below the
designated operating temperature for long periods of time is what Categories
results in wet stacking.

Here is how it happens in detail:

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When a diesel engine is run without load or with little load, it only
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generates adequate power to run its components and defy internal Releases
friction. It requires very little fuel for this and the temperatures that
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develop within the cylinders are way cooler than when the engine is
operating at a high load.

Unlike a gasoline engine, a diesel engine does not rely on spark plugs
but rather uses hot compressed air in its cylinders to vaporize and
ignite fuel. As such, a certain designed temperate is required to help
with the ignition. When the temperatures inside the combustion
chamber are cooler than the design temperature, fuel ignites and
burns; but it doesn’t burn completely. If this continues for extended
periods of time, you will notice the remains of vaporized fuel and soot
that condense and form deposits on the exhaust system in the form of
a dark, thick liquid; with some resemblance to used engine oil. The
appearance of this substance is what is referred to as “wet stacking”.

In a nutshell, wet stacking can be caused by:

 Operating the diesel engine generator under its set

operating temperature
 Operating the generator at less than 60% of its rated
power load
 Operating the generator with the incorrect air-to-fuel ratio
 Allowing the generator to stay unused for a long period of
time
 Running the generator with too much or excessively low
 fuel

Symptoms And Signs Of Wet Stacking

The most easily identifiable sign of wet stacking is the black, thick liquid
oozing from the exhaust system (could be the manifold, turbocharger,
or exhaust pipes). The liquid can be confused for lubricating oil
because of its thick density, but it contains soot from the unburned
carbon particles in diesel fuel hence has a black color. In some
instances, another sign would be hearing a miss in the engine during
operation because of fuel buildup.

Also, when an engine has stayed without operating for a long period of
time or it has been operating under light loads and experienced wet
stacking, it will blow off some heavy black soot from the exhaust when
placed under a load for the first time. The soot is as a result of the
excess fuel being burned off. Continuous black soot coming from the
exhaust under a normal load is also an indicator that not all the fuel
burned completely.

Evidence Of Wet Stacking Condition

CAT Engine Wet Stacking

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Wet Stacking Evidence from Exhaust Manifold

 Wet Stacking Evidence from Exhaust Smoke

Wet Stacking Evidence from Exhaust

Bad E!ects That Result From Wet Stacking

Wet stacking has several bad effects on a diesel engine generator, and
if unchecked for a long period of time, it can result in reduced engine
performance or permanent engine damage requiring an expensive
major engine overhaul.

One of the bad effects of wet stacking is that when unburned fuel is
removed from the combustion chamber, it builds up in the exhaust
system and fouls injectors while at the same time leading to the
buildup of carbon on the exhaust pipes, turbo charger and exhaust
valves. When fuel injector nozzles are fouled with carbon deposits, they
deliver larger droplets of fuel to the combustion cylinders than they are
supposed to. Consequently, more of this fuel remains unburned and
travels into the exhaust system; meaning wet stacking tends to result in
more wet stacking.

When the carbon deposits from unburned fuel accumulate in large

amounts, the engine’s performance ultimately dwindles as exhaust
buildup produces back-pressure and deposits on a turbocharger
reduce its efficiency.

Also, when the diesel engine operates below the set operational
temperature, its piston rings don’t expand well enough to seal the gaps
between the pistons and cylinder walls. This leaves space for unburned
fuel to escape into the oil pan and dilute it, hence resulting in early
engine wear.

How To Fix And Prevent Wet Stacking

For generators without symptoms of wet stacking, it is best for owners
to undertake preventative measures so as to avoid it entirely. Consider
running the generator a few minutes once a week, run it with an
electrical load that reaches the set operational temperature, and have
the generator regularly inspected and serviced by a professional.

For generators with symptoms of wet stacking, whether in the early

stage or more developed stages, it is best to have a professional
generator maintenance expert undertake the load testing procedure to
determine if the engine can remain operational or if it needs an
overhaul. If wet stacking is in the early stages, the professional will do a
load test using the building’s load or using an external portable load
bank. This will burn off the unburned fuel and correct the problem.

Expert Generator Maintenance

All in all, the key to keeping your diesel generator in a good working
condition and preventing problems such wet stacking and overheating
is having professional generator maintenance services – that’s where
we come in. Today many standby generator owners are outsourcing
generator maintenance services from full-service generator suppliers
and distributors. With a generator in the perfect working condition, you
are on the safe side when there is an unforeseen power failure or
blackout in your area.

During your scheduled generator maintenance, the expert will bring in

a portable load bank (If you do not have sufficient load within your
premises) to run the generator at the desired load so that it achieves its
set operation temperature and burns all fuel in the system.

Get in touch with Worldwide Power Products today if your diesel

engine is showing signs of wet stacking or has any other issues that
require urgent professional attention!

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