Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

The performances of a 2984-kW (4,000-hp) gas turbine–powered passenger locomotive fueled with different biofuels are compared with the performance of the same locomotive fueled with Diesel #2. The process of selecting a small number of biofuels from a detailed evaluation of 13 readily available biofuels is explored. A simulation of operation in an actual high-speed corridor is used to develop exhaust emission values in terms of tonnes (tons)/year for a complete service, and then in terms of g (lb)/trip of primary smog-producing pollutants. Energy use and cost per trip are developed from the same simulation. All of these values are compared with Diesel #2 values developed in previous research. Bio-fuel use in respect to turbine maintenance costs is discussed. Explored are the implications of carrying and delivering the biofuels on a locomotive in terms of (a) projected range with a given fuel tank size and (b) the minimum fuel tank size required to serve a typical corridor.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Pier

J. R.

Final Report to Northeast Regional Biofuel Program. Contract NRBP-R2-1500. Coalition of Northeastern Governors, Policy Research Center, Inc., 1998.

Bring on the Alternative Fuels. Advanced Materials & Processes, May 1990, pp. 40–41.

Diebold

J. P.

, and Czernik

. Additives To Lower and Stabilize the Viscosity of Pyrolysis Oils During Storage. Energy & Fuels, Vol. 11, No. 5, Sept.–Oct. 1997, pp. 1081–1091.

National Biodiesel Board. The Physical Characterization of Biodiesel/ Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel Blends. Final report, Dec. 1995.

CONEG Policy Research Center. Transportation Matters. Vol. 2, No. 1, May 1996.

HySEE Biodiesel Development. In 1996 Yearbook, Pacific Northwest and Alaska Regional Biomass Energy Program, U.S. Department of Energy, 1996, pp. 30–31.

Andrews

R. G.

, Fuleki

, Zukowski

, and Patnaik

P. C.

. Results of Industrial Gas Turbine Tests Using a Biomass-Derived Fuel. Orenda Aerospace Corporation, Ontario, Canada, n.d. (c. 1997).

Fumeto

What Kind of Fuel Am I?

The American Spectator, Nov. 1990, pp. 25–29.

Peterson

, and Reece

D. L.

. Development of Rapeseed Biodiesel of Use in High-Speed Diesel Engines. U.S. DOE Contract 93BIO9233, Progress Report 302. Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of Idaho, 1996, pp. 24–31, 54.

10.

Association of American Railroads. Railroad Facts. Washington, D.C., 1997.

11.

Moses

A. C.

, and Bernstein

. Impact Study of the Use of BiomassDerived Fuels in Gas Turbines for Power Generation. Report TP-430-6085. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1994.

12.

Alternative Fuels Options: Competing in the Marketplace. Appendix C in Governors’ Ethanol Coalition Responses to Questions Posed by the Coalition of Northeastern Governors, 1992.

13.

Colorado Institute for Fuels and High Altitude Engine Research. Emissions from Biodiesel Blends and Neat Biodiesel from a 1991 Model Series 60 Engine Operating at High Altitude. Final report to National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1994.

14.

Pier

J. R.

Alternative Fuel–Powered Gas Turbine Locomotive. Presented at the 73rd Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, Washington, D. C., 1994.

Comparisons of Biofuels in High-Speed Turbine Locomotives: Emissions,Energy Use,and Cost

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References