• What is DICEnet?

    About Us

    DICEnet was established in March 2013 to support DICE development internationally, including pilot and demonstration projects with Generation 3 technology, and R&D for Generation 4 technology.

  • Our Mission

    Our Mission

    Supporting the development of DICE as the internationally preferred stationary electricity generation technology, utilising the:Supporting the development of DICE as the internationally preferred stationary electricity generation technology, utilising the:

  • What is DICE?

    What is DICE?

    DICE (direct injection carbon engine) is a diesel engine adapted to use water slurry of finely ground carbon based fuels called MRC (micronised refined carbon).DICE (direct injection carbon engine) is a diesel engine adapted to use water slurry of finely ground carbon based fuels called MRC (micronised refined carbon).

  • The DICE advantage

    DICE advantage

    A more efficient, nimble and adaptable coal and biomass generation technology than is possible with current technology.A more efficient, nimble and adaptable coal and biomass generation technology than is possible with current technology.

  • Pathway to low CO2 emissions

    Pathway to low CO2 emissions

    DICE provides an alternative pathway to low CO2 power, fuelled by water-based carbon slurries from coals and biomass, while preserving options for carbon capture and storage pathway.

  • DICE - a new look at an old technology

    DICE - a new look at an old technology

    Generation 1 and 2 development was terminated just prior to commercialisation, due to a slump in the price of diesel fuel at the time. Generation 3 developments with new drivers are expected to lead to commercialisation by 2017..A more efficient, nimble and adaptable coal and biomass generation technology than is possible with current technology.

  • Gen 1 - powdered carbons as fuel

    Gen 1

    "We have been working our 80 hp experimental engine now for over 12 years, partly in order to ascertain the wear, and it is still running with the first piston and original cylinder liner without boring." The Southeast Missourian, Nov 27, 1928"We have been working our 80 hp experimental engine now for over 12 years, partly in order to ascertain the wear, and it is still running with the first piston and original cylinder liner without boring." The Southeast Missourian, Nov 27, 1928

  • Gen 2 - MRC as fuel

    Gen 2

    The use of slurried micronised refined carbons (MRC) during the highly successful USDOE development program over 1978-92, revolutionised DICE.The use of slurried micronised refined carbons (MRC) during the highly successful USDOE development program over 1978-92, revolutionised DICE.

  • Gen 3 - new drivers and new technology

    Generation 3

    New drivers and new technologies for fuel processing and engines should lead to DICE being commercialised within the next four to five years - using larger electronically controlled engines, and advanced milling and processing.New drivers and new technologies for fuel processing and engines should lead to DICE being commercialised within the next four to five years - using larger electronically controlled engines, and advanced milling and processing.

  • No technical barriers

    No technical barriers

    There are a number of technical challenges in commercialising the DICE fuel cycle … but no known technical limitations or barriersThere are a number of technical challenges in commercialising the DICE fuel cycle … but no known technical limitations or barriers
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  • Featured ∨
  • The Fuel ∨
  • Engines ∨
  • Development ∨
image Comparable life cycle CO2 emissions to open cycle gas turbines +

CO2

...a step reduction in CO2 over current coal fired power generation

image Lower ash and viscosity than coal water fuel for boilers +

New coal fuel

...lower ash and viscosity than coal water fuel for boilers

image Larger more efficient engines +

New engines

...cost comparable with combined cycle gas

image

MRC Production

DICE requires cost-effective production of ultra-low ash water based slurry fuel called MRC. The earlier USDOE work concluded that coal with 2–3% ash was suitable for DICE. The ash will be a trade-off between processing cost, and maintenance costs. Depending on engine speed, MRC should have a top size of 50 µm, a coal loading of 50-55%, and enable pressure atomisation. Coarser and higher solids MRC will likely be preferred for future engines.

 


More Information

Large slow speed engine for DICE

Engines

It is generally accepted that lower speed diesel engines are most suitable: the low-speed two-stroke marine-type engines (10–100 MW at 90–120 rpm) and largest four-stroke medium-speed engines (20 MW at 400-500 rpm). This is due to their low maintenance, longevity and tolerance to current lower quality fuels.

The choice of engine will be site and application dependent: the low-speed engine has slightly higher efficiency and lower maintenance costs but the cost is $2 M/MW compared to $1.2 M/MW for medium-speed engines.

 

 


More Information

DICE needs considerable development and demonstration to match the technical development of current technologies, but has strong technical merit because of the ability to carry out a near-commercial scale demonstration at a relatively small size (around 10 MW), both quickly and at relatively low cost. A staged development program has been devised with MAN for both black and brown coals, to de-risk the demonstration projects proposed for 2015.

 

More Information