MMS, RCT develop engine control system

Radical Combustion Technologies is developing ‘clean and green’ hardware retrofit kits to improve operating performance of internal combustion engines. (Photo: Radical Combustion Technologies.)

Radical Combustion Technologies (RCT) and Machinery Monitoring Systems (MMS) have formed a partnership to develop a retrofit control system designed to cut engine emissions and improve efficiency in the gas compression industry.

The initial focus of the system, known as RCTClean, is designed for large-bore, slow-speed, lean-burn engines used to transport natural gas through gathering systems, processing plants and transmission pipelines.

RCT is conducting field acceptance tests with multiple pipeline companies to demonstrate RCTClean’s efficacy on Cooper-Bessemer and Worthington legacy engines, the companies announced.

These ongoing tests confirm emissions reductions meet or exceed state and proposed federal environmental regulations. Testing also shows dramatic improvements in combustion stability, reliability, and endurance.

MMS designs and manufactures machinery health monitoring and tuning products for industrial machinery commonly used in the gas transmission, midstream, gas processing, and petrochemical industries. Currently, MMS’ ProBalance systems are installed on natural gas-fueled legacy engines throughout the United States. The MMS ProBalance continuously monitors the peak firing pressure (PFP) for up to 20 cylinders while adjusting balance values.

RCT’s unique proprietary algorithms define and analyze engine performance beyond those currently used in MMS ProBalance. These algorithms will be coded into the MMS ProBalance engine balancing. The enhanced ProBalance system will be offered as part of RCTClean installations starting in the second quarter of 2023, the companies announced.