Union Pacific Pilots Innovative Diesel Engine Technologies
April 17 2006 - 11:08AM
PR Newswire (US)
New Emission Reduction Devices Help Older Locomotives Operate More
Efficiently OMAHA, Neb., April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Building on its reputation as having the most environmentally
friendly locomotive fleet in the United States, Union Pacific today
announced it is testing technologies to reduce diesel engine
emissions in older railroad locomotives. Through collaboration with
staff at the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory of the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from Ann Arbor, Mich.,
Union Pacific is providing a 3,800-horsepower SD60M locomotive
built in January 1992, to serve as the first freight locomotive in
North America to be equipped with a set of oxidation catalyst or
"oxicat" devices manufactured by the MIRATECH Corporation of Tulsa,
Okla. These devices serve as flow-through catalytic converters. As
the diesel engine's exhaust flows through these converters,
microscopic particles -- known as "particulate matter" -- generated
by the diesel combustion process will be converted into water and
carbon dioxide. In a similar experiment, a 1,500-horsepower yard
switching locomotive built in November 1982, also provided by Union
Pacific, will be retrofitted with a diesel particulate filter or
"DPF." The DPF initiative is the result of a four-year program,
funded in part by Union Pacific, to assess clean-engine
technologies for locomotive applications. The DPF acts as a filter
that uses high-temperature silicon carbide blocks to trap
particulate matter in the exhaust. As the gases containing the
carbon particles accumulate, the device periodically heats the
carbon causing it to ignite and burn off as water and carbon
dioxide. "Over the last few years, Union Pacific has improved fuel
efficiency 14 percent through operational changes and by acquiring
newer, more efficient locomotives," said Bob Grimaila, Union
Pacific's vice president for environment and safety. "We are now
researching technologies to reduce diesel engine emissions,
especially particulate matter, from older railroad locomotives.
This supports our goal to reduce fuel consumption and diesel engine
exhaust-related emissions. In turn, this helps to create a better
environment and cleaner air to breathe." The Southwest Research
Institute (SWRI), a renowned applied research and development
organization based in San Antonio, is handling the modification of
the SDM60 locomotive and installation of the oxicat device. Upon
installation, SWRI will perform EPA locomotive emissions tests --
similar to the emissions test performed on automobiles -- to verify
how much particulate matter is removed from the locomotive's
exhaust. Afterward, Union Pacific will relocate the locomotive to
the Los Angeles Basin for at least one year of regular service with
the new catalytic converter to test real-life conditions operating
in over-the-road freight service. The DPF-equipped yard switching
locomotive will be returned to service in Oakland, Calif., in
September. For more information about "UP and the Environment" go
to http://www.up.com/. Click on "Environmental Management." Jobs at
Union Pacific Currently, Union Pacific has job openings at many
locations throughout its 23-state operating system. Opportunities
are available in train service, skilled disciplines (e.g., diesel
mechanics and electricians) and management. Interested applicants
are encouraged to visit http://www.up.com/ and click on "Jobs at
UP." About Union Pacific Union Pacific Corporation owns one of
America's leading transportation companies. Its principal operating
company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western
two-thirds of the country and serves the fastest-growing U.S.
population centers. Union Pacific's diversified business mix
includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy,
Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad offers competitive
long-haul routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to
eastern gateways. Union Pacific connects with Canada's rail systems
and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico,
making it North America's premier rail franchise. For further
information, contact James Barnes (402) 544-3560. DATASOURCE: Union
Pacific Corporation CONTACT: James Barnes of Union Pacific
Corporation, +1-402-544-3560 Web site: http://www.up.com/
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