Locomotive Biofuel Study – Rail Yard and Over the Road Measurements Using Portable Emissions Measurement System

The emissions of three locomotive engines were measured with ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) and multiple biofuel blends, including B10, B20, and B40. B20 biodiesel fuel reduced emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC), and particulate matter (PM). Portable Emissions Measurement Systems (PEMS) were used to measure the exhaust concentrations and emission rates. Measurements were made on an EMD F59PHI and two EMD F59PH passenger locomotives, each with 3,000 hp, 2-stroke turbocharged EMD12-710 prime mover engines. There were no observed adverse impacts of biofuel use on engine wear, operability, or maintenance; however, the fuel has a limited impact on NOx emissions. Testing revealed that B20 biodiesel fuel led to the largest reductions in CO₂, CO, HC, and PM from railroad locomotives based on rail yard and over-the-rail measurements. This research demonstrates methods for rail yard and over the rail locomotive emissions measurements using PEMS, and these methods can be applied to address a wide variety of study objectives related to locomotives, fuels, duty cycles, emission controls, and others.

• Record URL:
  https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/locomotive-biofuel-study-rail-yard-and-over-road-measurements-using-portable-emissions
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Cover date: March 2016.
• Corporate Authors:

  North Carolina State University, Raleigh

  Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
  208 Mann Hall
  Raleigh, NC  United States  27695-7908

  Federal Railroad Administration

  Office of Railroad Policy and Development, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Federal Railroad Administration

  Office of Research, Development, and Technology
  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Frey, H Christopher
  • Graver, Brandon M
  • Hu, Jiangchuan
• Publication Date: 2015

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 388p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Biomass fuels; Carbon dioxide; Carbon monoxide; Diesel fuels; Engine operation; Hydrocarbons; Locomotives; Nitric oxide; Particulates; Pollutants
• Identifier Terms: Portable Emissions Measurement System
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01593934
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT/FRA/ORD-16/04
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 18 2016 12:39PM