SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF ALTERNATIVE LOCOMOTIVE FUELS

A panel of unbiased experts was assembled to estimate the hazardous behavior of various locomotive fuels for a set of specified locomotive accidents. The five fuels of interest were compressed natural gas (CNG), refrigerated liquid methane (RLM), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), methanol and diesel fuel. Ten accidents were analyzed than ranged from the somewhat common and benign to the uncommon and potentially catastrophic. The results are estimates of the likelihood of occurrence of fuel-injury, fire, and explosion for each fuel in each accident. In general, diesel fuel is the safest and LPG is the most hazardous.

• Corporate Authors:

  Los Alamos National Laboratory

  P.O. Box 1663
  Los Alamos, NM  United States  87545
• Authors:
  • Kidman, R B
  • Krupka, M C
  • Streit, G E
  • Williams, M D
  • Edeskuty, F J
• Publication Date: 1990-9

Media Info

• Pagination: 108 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternate fuels; Assessments; Compressed natural gas; Diesel fuels; Diesel locomotives; Explosions; Fires; Hazardous materials; Hazards; Liquefied petroleum gas; Liquid fuels; Locomotives; Methane; Methanol; Refrigerated cargo; Refrigeration (Structures); Safety; Safety and security; Transportation safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Liquid petroleum gas
• Subject Areas: Finance; Highways; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; I81: Accident Statistics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00610732
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: LA-CP-90-329, BN-1.12.8/90
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 30 1991 12:00AM