Learn about career opportunities with Southern Research »
Fuel additive improved fuel efficiency in a diesel-electric locomotive
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (Sept. 6, 2005) – The Greenhouse Gas Technology Center (GHG Center) today announced that it has independently verified the performance of a new patented technology called Diesel Fuel Catalyzer, owned by EnviroFuels, L.P. of Houston, Texas.
The product is marketed as a diesel fuel additive for heavy duty diesel engine applications that, according to EnviroFuels, reduces fuel consumption and combustion emissions in large diesel engines through three processes: cleaning, surface friction reduction and fuel combustion improvements.
Independent performance verification was conducted by the GHG Center using a diesel freight locomotive. Tests occurred at the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad (SLA), a division of Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., near Auburn, Maine. SLA provided the test locomotive, fuel, resistive load bank, plant facilities, technical, mechanical, and managerial support. Partial funding was provided by the U.S. EPA and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. A synopsis and final performance evaluation report can be accessed on the U.S. EPA ETV website at http://www.epa.gov/etv/verifications or at http://www.sri-rtp.com.
Brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and brake-specific gaseous emissions showed statistically significant reductions of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbon emissions. Despite reductions in opacity, total particulate matter emissions increased, but remained below regulatory limits.
"In treated fuel tests, the Diesel Fuel Catalyzer product did improve fuel economy by about five percent using the EPA Line Haul Model and 10 percent using the EPA Switch Mode Model, while significantly reducing certain emissions as claimed," said Tim Hansen, director of the GHG Center at Southern Research. "Overall, we were able to validate EnviroFuel claims, and see this product having a potential impact in the railroad, construction, marine and industrial power plant industries as well.”
"The ETV process is the most rigorous technology evaluation available for our product,” said Chris Schembri, president, EnviroFuels Rail, LLC. “We are pleased that the testing has confirmed the significant economic and environmental benefits of our technology."
"After field testing this product for nearly a year in varying terrains, climates and locomotive duty cycles, we are pleased with the overall results we have seen,” added David Powell, vice president-Locomotives, Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. “Among the most important benefits are the reduction in diesel fuel consumption and the associated savings in fuel costs. The product also provides significant environmental benefits in the form of reduced exhaust emissions, fire suppression and internal engine carbon reduction. These results add to the already substantial advantages of moving freight by rail."
The GHG Center is a public/private partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Birmingham, Alabama-based Southern Research Institute, operating under the EPA’s Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) program. The GHG Center looks for promising greenhouse gas mitigation technologies, subjects them to independent third-party performance testing, and provides performance results to the public free of charge. To date, the GHG Center has verified—or is in the process of verifying—31 different environmental and energy technologies that can significantly impact greenhouse gas and other emissions.
Verifications generally involve the measurement of energy conversion efficiency, air pollution emission rates, secondary environmental impacts, operational performance, cost performance, and other variables of interest to purchasers and other stakeholders. Technology performance verifications are accomplished using measurement and analysis methods that have been reviewed and approved by independent expert stakeholder panels.
Since 1997, the GHG Center has verified commercial ready technologies in advanced energy production and transportation systems, solid waste management, oil and gas production and distribution, greenhouse gas monitoring, agricultural waste management systems, advanced refrigeration systems, and other areas. Like the Diesel Fuel Catalyzer, technologies typically evaluated by the GHG Center offer the promise of multiple benefits to users and the environment.
About Southern Research Institute
Southern Research is an independent, not-for-profit organization that conducts scientific research at facilities in Alabama, Florida, Maryland and North Carolina. Southern Research provides contract research in the fields of engineering, automotive research and testing, environmental and energy-related research, and pre-clinical drug discovery and drug development. For more information, see www.southernresearch.org.
Note to Media Regarding Applicants for Technology Verification:
Companies interested in verification testing of their greenhouse gas technologies can download the Application for Testing at the GHG Center website (www.sri-rtp.com) and submit the form as instructed. For additional information, interested persons may contact Tim Hansen (hansen@sri.org or 919-806-3456).
Media Contact: Rhonda Jung, Southern Research Institute, 205-581-2317, jung@southernresearch.org