CN tests LNG-diesel fuel powered locomotives
Published on Thursday, 27 September 2012 15:08
lngglobal.com
CN has announced it is testing two mainline diesel-electric locomotives fuelled principally by natural gas in revenue service in northern Alberta.
Keith Creel, executive vice-president and chief operating officer, said: "CN launched this locomotive test to explore the use of natural gas as a potential alternative to conventional diesel fuel. This reflects CN's continuing drive to look for ways to improve operating efficiency and advance the company's sustainability agenda."
CN retrofitted the diesel engines in two 3,000-horsepower Electro-Motive Diesel SD40-2 locomotives to run on natural gas using conversion kits supplied by Energy Conversions Inc. of Tacoma, Wash. ECI says the hybrid fuel locomotive will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30 per cent and nitrogen oxide emissions by 70 per cent over a locomotive duty cycle.
The retrofitted locomotives, using 90 per cent natural gas, with 10 per cent diesel fuel for ignition, are paired with a natural gas fuel tender, or specially equipped and protected tank car, between them. The tender was upgraded by a unit of Chart Industries, Inc. Natural gas fueling is being provided by Encana Corporation.
The natural gas fuelled locomotives are testing on the 300-mile run north of Edmonton to Fort McMurray, rail gateway to the oil sands region of northern Alberta. Fueling and maintenance take place in Edmonton. CN is also working with EMD, Westport Innovations Inc. and Gaz Métro Transport Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gaz Métro, on a longer term project to explore a state-of-the-art natural gas railway engine and a standardized railway tender.
CN will provide two 4,300-horsepower SD70M-2 EMD locomotives for the test program. EMD, in addition to the engine conversion, will supply technical expertise to integrate the natural gas engine, related components and controls into the locomotive, including Westport™ high-pressure direct injection (HPDI) technology and natural gas fuel system technologies. GMTS will develop natural gas liquefaction requirements and distribution systems. An innovative natural gas tender for this initiative will be jointly developed by the project partners.
The CN-led group expects to conduct engine laboratory tests in 2013 and to roll out the prototype main-line locomotives for road tests in 2014.
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