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Post by Donnell Wells on Nov 11, 2012 21:32:44 GMT -8
I found this project extremely interesting, and look forward to seeing its progress.
www.csrail.org/
Donnell |
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Post by Brakie on Nov 13, 2012 4:29:58 GMT -8
I remember a similar project called ACE (American Coal Enterprise) that use the 614(aka 614T) as a test engine back in '84..
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bigzmn
Junior Member
Posts: 91
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Post by bigzmn on Nov 20, 2012 23:46:20 GMT -8
I've kind of been keeping an eye on this only because they are using a Santa Fe engine. A lot of their data seems flawed, and it seems they are just some outfit to burn through government money.
I love the part where it says they will double the thermal efficiency of the steam locomotive, but they don't give any real numbers. That shouldn't be too difficult, back towards the end of steam it was only about 9%. A modern diesel engine is something like 40 to 45%.
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Post by bnsf971 on Nov 21, 2012 3:55:38 GMT -8
I've kind of been keeping an eye on this only because they are using a Santa Fe engine. A lot of their data seems flawed, and it seems they are just some outfit to burn through government money. I love the part where it says they will double the thermal efficiency of the steam locomotive, but they don't give any real numbers. That shouldn't be too difficult, back towards the end of steam it was only about 9%. A modern diesel engine is something like 40 to 45%. 9% is a bit high. Try 6%. |
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Post by calzephyr on Nov 21, 2012 8:12:59 GMT -8
I found this project extremely interesting, and look forward to seeing its progress.
www.csrail.org/
DonnellInteresting article. I have been watching the information about this project now for about 6 months now. It would seem rebuilding a Santa Fe Hudson for a test locomotive to prove the use of the fuel might be their goal. Using steam of any type will create big maintenance problems and regulations. This project seems to be aimed towards high speed passenger service? The article below describes the fuel that they want to use. From the articles I read recently, the 3463 reportably needs a new boiler which should cost more than the locomotive cost when it was new. This fuel could be tested on any stationary boiler and used in a turbine if it is ready for prime time. Larry The Fuel Imagine a fuel with the same energy, density and material handling properties of coal, without the associated carbon footprint, heavy metal or sulfur content. The University of Minnesota's Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI), a leader in the efficient processing of cellulosic biomaterial into carbon neutral biocoal, has engineered such a fuel. Due to the abundance of sustainable forest in Minnesota and the energy efficiency of the torrefaction process, biocoal can be produced at reasonable cost. Though not as cheap as current domestic coal production, this price range is significantly lower than the diesel fuel that currently powers all diesel-electric fleet. When comparing the fuels on a one-to-one scale, factoring in the overall thermal efficiency of each technology, the efficient external combustion of biocoal makes it substantially less expensive than diesel fuel. |
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