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Project Leader Dr Damon Honnery uses the Rail CRC diesel engine
test facility at Monash.
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Growth in the Australian rail freight task and a resulting increase
in diesel fuel usage by the industry have ensured the rail sector
is a significant user of Australia’s liquid fuel expenditure.
Due to increasing fuel prices and a focus on fuel quality and
diesel exhaust emissions, the rail industry has committed to
investigating options to reduce fuel consumption and improve
exhaust emissions.
This project aims to investigate the potential for technologies
such as fuel additives, alternative fuels, after-market fuel and
exhaust system fixtures to improve fuel consumption and exhaust
emissions and ascertain whether these improvements could translate
to real financial and environmental benefits for the industry.
Using the Rail CRC funded Diesel Engine Research Facility at Monash
University the project has been a significant success, proving
current market additives to be an unwarranted additional cost to
rail operators.
Evaluated by STEM Partnerships in 2006, the project was highlighted
as a crucial key area for research with the potential for an
expanded research and test facility for the rail industry. The
project was estimated to have the potential to provide a
risk-free-value of $1.4 million over 15 years to the rail industry.
Taking into account the risks associated with delivering the
technology, the expected value to the industry was $1 million.
Results to date:
- Commissioning and completion of the Diesel Engine Research Facility
at Monash University
- Fuel consumption, engine performance and additive testing completed
at research facility, with overall no statistically significant
benefit from more than 10 additives tested
- Commenced testing of alternative fuels, including water diesel
- Commenced planning ultra-low sulphur fuel tests
Future outcomes:
- Report on effect of ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel on engine
performance and emissions
- Report on investigation into alternative fuels for industry
- Report on investigation into feasibility of undertaking detailed
locomotive emission measurements
- Ongoing support to rail industry via test facility for additives
and alternative fuels
Project Leader: Dr Damon Honnery (Monash)
Project Manager: Mr Neville Glover (QR)
