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7. Installation and testing of locomotive performance enhancement technology

Installation and testing of locomotive performance enhancement technology

The analysis and conclusions contained in this case study are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily represent the point of view of the Government of Canada.

Organization
Quebec Railway Corporation

Major Findings
The demonstration project showed that the installation of performance enhancing technology on locomotives results in significant fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emission reductions.

Project Timeline
September 2006 to March 2007

Please note that some figures such as cost savings on fuel are based on data from the period that this project took place.

Introduction

Quebec Railway Corporation (QRC) handles over 100,000 rail carloads per year. It is the largest Canadian-owned short-line railway and the largest short-line railway company operating in Eastern Canada. The New Brunswick East Coast Railway Company Inc. (NBECR) is a division of QRC and operates 15 MLW RS-18 locomotives on its 196 miles of line that extend from Campbellton to Pacific Junction (near Moncton).

In order to save fuel and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, QRC undertook a project using locomotive performance enhancement technology with financial assistance from Transport Canada's Freight Incentives Program.

Project Description

The QES-III Electronic Auto Shutdown/Start System and QES-III Excitation System allow locomotives to be upgraded to state-of-the-art microprocessor-controlled locomotives. The units were installed on six locomotives owned and operated by NBECR.

The QES-III uses a microprocessor-based electronic control unit (ECU), an operator-interface panel and ancillary equipment. The ECU contains all of the electronics used to control and monitor the various locomotive sensors, plus options such as the integrated Event Recorder. The interface panel displays data for diagnostics, speed control, self-tests, sensing, control, and communication requirements.

The Auto Shutdown/Start System monitors the locomotive engine and automatically shuts down and restarts during idle periods. The Excitation System allows better engine and wheel slip management, which reduces both GHG emissions and fuel consumption.

Project Goals and Objectives

This project supported the installation and utilization of QES-III Locomotive Performance Enhancement Systems by QRC for the reduction of fuel consumption and GHG emissions.

Project Methodology

At the start of the project, detailed baseline data was developed to determine the fuel consumption and corresponding criteria air contaminants (CAC) for NBECR's RS-18 locomotives. Locomotive NBECR 1851 was tested at Engine Systems Development Centre (ESDC) at Lachine, QC. The low sulphur #2 diesel fuel used met US Environmental Protection Agency's specifications for locomotive emissions testing. Exhaust emission tests were performed according to the locomotive procedure detailed in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations 40CFR, Part 92, "Control of Air pollution from Locomotives and Locomotive Engines" with the exception of particulate matter (PM) section of the procedure.

Six of NBECR's 15 RS-18 locomotives were equipped with QES-III. For nine months, the fuel used, mileage and tonnage hauled of three of them (one for yard service and two for main-line service) were tracked and compared to standard RS-18 locomotives. The emissions test results were used to calculate how well the improved engine and locomotion control provided by the QES-III systems reduced emissions.

Results

Table 1 shows the project results projected to one full year of operation and includes the technology's positive effects. For the typical NBECR duty cycle, QES-III reduced fuel consumption and emissions most for yard service, where the effect of the automatic shutdown/start had the greatest impact. Automatic shutdown reduced locomotive operating time by 12%.

For main-line operation, the computer's power control increased functional control and reduced emissions. It also lowered fuel consumption by reducing wheel slips using dynamic braking.

         Table 1 Changes due to QES-III equipment (for one RS-18 locomotive)

	Changes due to QES (per RS-18 locomotive)
	Yard Service	Main-line Service
Increase in fuel consumption ratio (gross ton miles/L)	200%	43.6%
Annual reduction in fuel consumption (L)	320,000	89,750
Annual CO reduction (tonnes)	3.49	0.71
Annual HC reduction (tonnes)	406.8	130.9
Annual NOx reduction (tonnes)	1,319.5	429.6
Annual CO2 reduction (tonnes) (3.07 kg/L)	984	276

The yard service reductions are somewhat overstated since there was no precise method to identify exact yard switching activities (number of cars switched, distances traveled in the yard etc.). The data was analyzed with the assumption that activities in the yard are somewhat similar from week to week. Even if the results were adjusted to account for exact data, yard service reductions in fuel use and emissions would still be great.

From an operational standpoint, the installation of the QES-III equipment was trouble-free. The technology:

• freed operators from having to worry about wheel slip corrections and electrical equipment thermal limits; and
• gave operators immediate warning of operating faults.

In addition to reducing fuel consumption, the Auto Shutdown/Start System reduces engine wear due to fewer hours of operation. Large fuel reductions mean a fast payback period.

Conclusion

This project confirmed that installing QES-III Locomotive Performance Enhancement System affects fuel consumption and GHG emissions. Six RS-18 locomotives operated by QRC's NBECR were equipped with QES-III units. For nine months, three were compared to the performance of standard locomotives. When the test data is projected to an annual basis per RS-18 locomotive, the QES-III Locomotive Performance Enhancement System reduces fuel consumption by 320,000 L for yard service and 89,750 L for main-line service. This fuel savings means 984 fewer tonnes of CO₂ in yard service and 276 fewer tonnes of in main-line service per RS18 locomotive. As a result, QRC plans to install performance-enhancing technology in all of its locomotives.

Additional Information

• Quebec Railway Corporation
• Q-Tron
• QES-III Locomotive Performance Enhancement System
• Engine Systems Development Centre

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Date modified:

2012-03-08

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