UAE-based Al Bahar, a major dealer of Caterpillar machinery, heavy equipment and power systems, has announced the launch of its new power-dense Cat C18 diesel generator set, thus enabling its customers to meet power needs and emission targets with greater precision.
The new C18 will deliver the benefits of high power density to customers across the Al-Bahar territory, which includes the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar markets.
Designed to meet challenging restrictions on capital, site size, emissions, and cost, the new power-dense C18 requires less overall space for installation, said the company in a statement.
Engineered to maximise power output and reliability, the new C18 ratings are 706 to 850 kVA at 50 Hz. It features a smaller footprint of up to 37 per cent and offers more power density than competitive power solutions in the market today.
It significantly decreases customers’ installed and ancillary costs through reduced overall footprint and weight. With this newly uprated Cat C18 diesel generator set and other similar power-dense models, Caterpillar is reaffirming its leadership in delivering a full range of dependable, space-conscious power solutions that makes power solutions increasingly cost-effective, said the statement.
On the new product, Ahmed Mohamed Kamal, Power Systems EPG Retail Sales Manager, Al-Bahar, said: "With its reduced installation costs and low fuel consumption, C18 brings down the total cost for our customers. Moreover, with a range of highlights like advanced fuel system, improved combustion system, better thermal management, high-spec core components, and next-generation air system, the new C18 maximises the return on investment for our customers, whilst offering proven power solution."
The generator set meets NFPA 110 loading requirement and meets ISO 8528-5 transient response requirements, stated Kamal.
The EMCP controller features the reliability and durability one expects from a piece of Cat equipment. The EMCP4 included in the new C18 is a scalable control platform that ensures reliable generator set operation, providing extensive information about power output and engine operation.
Moreover, customers can further customise the EMCP4 systems to meet their needs through programming and expansion modules, he added.
According to Kamal, the other highlights include higher flow rate injectors with improved fuel delivery control and pressure, enhances power output.
The new high-efficiency parallel turbo allows for increased airflow and achieves high boost pressure delivering higher power density with faster response. Improved combustion chamber design allows fuel to burn more efficiently, extracting more energy from the fuel, he explained.
Higher specification pistons rings and valves sustain higher operating temperatures, which minimize oil consumption for longer engine life at higher output ratings. Higher specification advanced core components ensures improved component durability while the engine delivers more power, he added.
Adding to the C18 narrative, Mohamed B El Kaddour, VP (Energy & Transportation) Al-Bahar, said: "Caterpillar always thinks more than the equipment they’re designing. They think about the people they are designing the equipment for, which includes the person who needs the back-up power to perform flawlessly."
"Fewer units offering more power – is the ideal situation. Our customers are always looking for more power from an existing engine, and C18 promises exactly that at lower fuel consumption. Its smaller size and lower weight make it a smaller displacement engine, lowering shipping costs as overall packaging size reduces," stated Kadddour.
"Further, it demands lesser oil and coolants, leading to reduced maintenance costs, and environmental impact, all adding more value to the bottom-line. In the end – lower shipping costs, lower fuel consumption and lower maintenance costs, all add up to savings, making it an ideal engine for varying requirements," he added.
