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Energy & Environment Projects |
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Locomotive Emissions Measurement
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SA has developed a compact, portable locomotive emissions measurement setup
using field-proven emissions components under this project. Testing a locomotive
for exhaust emissions poses a unique and costly logistics challenge. A
mobile emissions setup that is compact and portable will go a long way towards
increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of regular locomotive emissions
testing for meeting EPA regulations as well as for maintenance purposes.
Ultimately, such a setup would help the railroad industry to improve equipment
and operational efficiencies.
Under this project,
SA researched current emissions measurement practices, state-of-the-art measurement technologies,
industry emissions measurement needs and identified a portable diesel engine exhaust measurement
system used for in-use testing of heavy-duty diesel engines. This system is
capable of measuring concentrations of NOx (oxides of Nitrogen), HC (unburnt Hydrocarbons),
CO2 (Carbon Dioxide), CO (Carbon Monoxide) and O2 (Oxygen).
The system also measures ambient atmospheric pressure and temperature and
records all the data to the on-board memory, thus allowing extended field
operations without the need for ellaborate setups.
SA also developed a computer program that converts the measured gaseous
emissions data (ppm) into brake-specific emissions data (lbs/bhp-hr). As part
of this process, the large number of parameters that need to be monitored in addition to exhaust
gas concentrations were identified, and included in the calculation. The
auxillary equipment necessary to
adapt the system for locomotive emissions testing was designed and prototyped.
Locomotive emissions tests were performed on a GP40 locomotive to demonstrate
the applicability and feasibility of the system, for both off-board and on-board
testing.
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Train Operations Simulations
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SA has developed a longitudinal train dynamics simulation model. Such simulations are
essential for conducting safety and risk evaluations, energy consumption studies, incident investigations, train
operations studies, ride quality evaluations, new equipment design and current equipment evaluations.
SA can perform the following studies using this model:
Incident investigations, energy audits and evaluation of operating rules (current and proposed) Impact of proposed speed limits on rail line capacity Evaluation of effects of mixed equipment consists and operating practices on safety and efficiency Evaluation of new locomotive, cars and component designs Motive power optimization for trains and routes Train handling parametric studies and "cruise control" development for locomotives,
e.g., maintain speed or optimize for minimum fuel consumption Positive Train Control (PTC) routines for stop distance evaluations Rail network simulations Safety evaluations for ECP braking (drag braking vs. ECP on extended grades) Real time train simulators for training on specific routes and trains
The program is capable of simulating the longitudinal dynamics and energy consumption resulting from the
operation of a train given the train consist, track characteristics and train handling commands. This model also predicts quasi-dynamic
L/V ratios to determine the derailment tendency of vehicles in the train.
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