Rlys to install fuel-saving device in diesel trains by railgenie on 06 September, 2013 - 08:00 AM | ||
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railgenie | Rlys to install fuel-saving device in diesel trains on 06 September, 2013 - 08:00 AM | |
Railways have moved to alleviate the increasing financial burden on its system on account of the rising fuel prices. It has installed a new fuel saving device called Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) in Diesel Locomotives, which will result in saving of more than Rs 20 lakh per locomotive annually.The Research Development Standard Organisation (RDSO), the research wing of Indian Railways, is also in the process of developing a highly fuel efficient, Common Rail Electronic Direct Fuel Injection (CReDI) system for its fleet of diesel locomotives.“In APU System main Engine shuts down and small 25 HP Engine starts, and charges batteries and air brake pipes, when loco idles for more than 10 minutes. The diesel engine of APU consumes only three litres of diesel per hour in comparison to 25 litres by the main engine. Expected savings per loco fitted with APU is Rs 20 lakh per year on account of saving in fuel oil only,” a railway official said.APU is a self-contained unit containing a small diesel engine coupled to a compressor and alternator for battery charging. It has its own set of controls, accessories and is integrated to the existing microprocessor control system of locomotive.Similarly, Railways has started development of the CReDI for its fleet of diesel locomotives. “Final testing of the system will be done at the large bore engine laboratory of RDSO. Fuel savings in the range of 3 to 4 per cent and emissions reductions by about 20-30% are expected. Once the systems are implemented on the complete fleet of locomotives, savings will be about Rs 500-600 crore annually,” officials said.These types of systems are being used on all road diesel vehicles including passenger cars and have helped reduce fuel consumption and emissions of harmful pollutants from these vehicles. In the common rail systems, fuel at a high pressure (1600 bars) is injected into the cylinder by using a magnetic valve. It is possible to have multiple injections in the cylinder thereby reducing stress on the cylinder parts and reduce fuel consumption and emissions at the same time. |