Comparisons of Biofuels in High-Speed Turbine Locomotives: Emissions, Energy Use, and Cost
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.
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Article first published: January 1999
Issue published: January 1999
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This article was published in Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board.
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