--- title: "Diesel fuel storage, supply and applications" subject: "Power Plant Equipment" chapter: 5 key: "semester_7/power_plant_equipment:diesel-fuel-storage-applications" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/power_plant_equipment/diesel-fuel-storage-applications site: BCT Engineering --- # Diesel fuel storage, supply and applications Power Plant Equipment · Chapter 5: Diesel Power Plant - Asked in: 2073 Shrawan, 8 marks - Video: [Diesel - 5 | Fuel Storage & Supply System, Need | Suction & Transfer type, Schematic diagram | Hindi](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVQIMS48TbY) — Origin's e-Shala - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/power_plant_equipment/diesel-fuel-storage-applications - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/power_plant_equipment/chapter-5 ## Question Explain fuel storage and supply system of a diesel power plant with a neat sketch. Also write down application of diesel power plants. ## Short answer Fuel flows from bulk tank through transfer pump and filters to a day tank, then to injection pump and injectors. Applications include standby, peak load, base load in isolated areas, mobile plants, and black-start duty. ## Answer The **fuel storage and supply system** receives, stores, cleans and delivers fuel oil to the engine cylinders in the correct quantity, at the correct time and in atomised form. #### Sketch ```text Tanker -> Strainer -> BULK STORAGE TANK | Transfer pump | Filter v DAY TANK (overhead) | gravity Fine filter v FUEL INJECTION PUMP <- Governor | high pressure v INJECTORS (in cylinders) | leak-off oil -----+--> back to day tank ``` #### Working 1. **Unloading and storage:** oil brought by tankers or rail wagons is pumped through a strainer into large **bulk storage tanks** (steel, above or below ground), holding one to several months' supply. Tanks have vents, level gauges and drain valves for water and sludge. 2. **Transfer:** a transfer pump moves oil from the bulk tank through filters to the **day tank**, which holds about 8–24 hours of consumption and is placed above the engine so oil flows by gravity. 3. **Filtration and heating:** fine filters (and centrifuges for heavy oil) remove dirt and water. Heavy oils are heated to reduce viscosity. 4. **Injection pump:** a plunger-type pump raises the pressure (about 100–200 bar or more) and delivers a metered quantity, controlled by the governor according to load. 5. **Injector:** sprays finely atomised oil into the hot compressed air near the end of compression, where it self-ignites. 6. Surplus/leak-off oil returns to the day tank. Injection may be by **common-rail**, **individual pump** or **distributor** system. #### Applications of diesel power plants - **Standby (emergency) plants** for hospitals, telephone exchanges, data centres, airports, industries. - **Peak-load plants** working with hydro or steam stations. - **Base-load plants** in small isolated areas where hydro or grid supply is not available. - **Mobile plants** (trailer-mounted) for construction sites, mines, temporary loads and relief work. - **Starting stations** (black-start) for large steam and gas stations. - Nursery stations in growing towns before grid extension, and supply on islands, hilly and remote areas. - Captive power for industries where load-shedding occurs. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. What is the role of the bulk storage tank? A. Holds one to several months' supply, with vents, level gauges and drains for water and sludge B. Meters fuel to cylinders C. Atomises fuel D. Cools fuel Answer: A. Tankers unload through a strainer into large tanks that store long-term supply. (Key point: Bulk tank) 2. What is the day tank? A. An underground tank for months of fuel B. An overhead tank holding about 8-24 hours of fuel, feeding by gravity C. The injector body D. A heat exchanger Answer: B. A transfer pump moves filtered oil to the day tank placed above the engine. (Key point: Day tank) 3. Why are heavy oils heated? A. To reduce viscosity B. To increase ignition delay C. To remove the governor D. To lower pressure Answer: A. Heating lowers viscosity so the oil flows, filters and atomises properly. (Key point: Heavy oil handling) 4. How is injected quantity controlled? A. By the exhaust silencer B. By the governor acting on the injection pump according to load C. By the day tank level D. By the air filter Answer: B. The plunger pump delivers a metered quantity set by the governor. (Key point: Injection and governor) 5. Which is a typical application of diesel power plants? A. Standby plants for hospitals and data centres, and peak or remote supply B. Only large base-load stations of 1000 MW C. Only nuclear back-up D. None; unsuitable for standby Answer: A. They are used for standby, peak, isolated base-load, mobile, and black-start duties. 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