Locomotive Emission Reduction Presentation to the West Coast - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Locomotive Emission Reduction

Presentation to the West Coast Collaborative Locomotives & Rails Working Group

June 11, 2008

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Presenters

Don Freestone, Manager

Locomotive Operations

Mark Mitchell, Assistant VP,

Health-Safety-Environmental

Bruce Pryke, Director of Safety,

Rules & Operating Practices

Stephenie Wheeler, Public

Involvement Officer and Green Star Coordinator

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Alaska Railroad Locomotive Fleet

55 locomotives that haul railcar consists 2 cab cars (engineer control; no pull power) 4 RDCs (old self-propelled passenger cars) 1 DMU (new self-propelled, delivery 2008)

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Locomotive Emission Reduction Efforts

• 1. Purchase new, more efficient locomotives
• 2. Install engine idle reduction systems
• 3. Train operating policies for efficiency
• 4. Improved locomotive maintenance
• 5. Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel
• 6. Fuel Additives (experimental stage)

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Half the ARRC locomotives (28 of 55) are

SD70MAC models purchased since 1997 to replace aging GP 40 as railroad’s “workhorse”

GP40-2 Locomotive SD70MAC Locomotive

• 1. New, More Efficient Locomotives

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Greater fuel efficiency:

A train that required two (2) GP40s to pull requires just one (1) SD70MAC

Less emissions according to research

2004 Southern States Air Resource Managers

study: SD70MAC vs. GP40 emits significantly less brake-specific emissions in HC, CO, NOx and PM

2004 California EPA Roseville Rail Yard Study:

Diesel PM emissions markedly less in SD70MAC

• vs. GP40, whether idling or moving

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1997 – purchased sixteen (16) SD70MACs

(4000 HP) at $1.9 million each, delivered 1999-2000

2003 – purchased eight (8) SD70MACs (4300

HP) at $2.4 million each, delivered 2003-2004

2006 – purchased four (4) SD70MACs (4300

HP) at $3 million each, delivered 2007

Cost of Locomotive Replacement

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• 2. Engine Idle Reduction Systems

Three-quarters (78%) of ARRC’s locomotives

(43 out of 55) equipped with idle reduction system

Quantity Locomotive Uses Idle Reduction System 28 SD70MAC

Pax/Freight train hauling

EMD AESS 3 GP40-2

Work train, short-run freight

EcoTrans 12 GP40-2

Work, Pax/Freight

None 8 GP38-2

Yard switching; Work train

Eco Trans/Hot Start 4 MP15

Yard switching

Smart Start

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Systems used by ARRC

• GMD Auto Engine Start Stop (AESS) –

shuts locomotive engine down after a period of no use/idling; and starts up when engine controls engaged or temperature drops too far.

• Smart Start – similar to AESS, but

designed for lower HP locomotives, such as the MP15s.

• KIM Hot Start – similar effect to plugging

in a car’s engine block. Small diesel engine runs hot water through locomotive’s engine so it doesn’t need to run to warm up.

• EcoTrans K9 APU – monitors locomotive cab to determine if in use and if not,

locomotive engine is shut down. APU keeps air built up in hydraulic systems to keep oil and water warm, battery charged, etc.

Maintenance on SD70MAC’s AESS

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• AESS – installed on first 16 SD70MACs at $11,000
• each. Later SD70MAC purchases came equipped

with AESS at no additional cost.

• EcoTrans – installed on seven (7) GP38s and three

(3) GP40s at $52,000 each.

• Hot Start – installed on one GP38 at $29,400.
• Smart Start – installed on four MP15s at $12,000

each.

Cost of Idle Reduction Systems (2002)

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ARRC trains engineers on fuel conservation and best

• perating practices to

boost locomotive

• efficiency. An entire

section of the ARRC Brake & Train Handling Manual is dedicated to Fuel Conservation.

• 3. Train Operations Policies

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Best Practices for Fuel Efficiency

Brake & Throttle Techniques –

Engineers make use of gravity and track resistance.

Shutdown Policy – reduces

idling for locomotives not equipped with automatic shutdown systems.

Isolation Policy – Locomotives

not needed to pull in a consist, are “isolated” so they are not using power to pull.

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• 4. Peak Performance Maintenance

Preventive maintenance policy

to keep trains and locomotives in peak condition, maximizing power & minimizing emissions

CMMS scheduled maintenance Daily visual monitoring for HP,

excessive exhaust, leaks, etc. to detect problems.

Monthly oil analysis

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• 5. Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel

EPA mandates use of Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel

(500ppm) by June 2007, phasing to Ultra Low Diesel Fuel (15ppm) by 2012.

ARRC made switch to ULSD in 2007 Challenges with ULSD Fuel

More expensive – 10-12 cents more per gallon 7% less BTU combustible = use 3-4% more fuel Less Lubricity = harder on fuel system parts

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• 6. Fuel Additive Experiment

Suppliers Flint Hills adds lubricity additive to

ULSD to meet locomotive engine manufacturer standards; ARRC has no control

ARRC began testing on handful of locomotives,

adding DurAlt fuel additive. Manufacturer claims increased lubricity and reduced emissions.

Testing will continue on larger number of

locomotives starting summer 2008 to conclude merits of DurAlt additive.

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Air Quality Green Star Award

ARRC’s efforts to reduce emissions from

locomotives was a big part of our application for a Green Star Air Quality

• Award. This is in addition to recertifying
• ur Green Star Award.

Award approved, with formal presentation

• n April 21.

Award calls for continual improvement.