Tier 4 Evolution Series prototype unveiled

[MEC407]

From R&D Mag:

Akinyemi and his global team of 20 researchers in New York, Munich and Bangalore had an idea. They developed new combustion system designs, studied them inside a single cylinder test engine and took detailed measurements of exhaust levels, temperature and other data. Then they fed the information to sophisticated computer models and simulations and extrapolated the results from a to a full scale engine. It was critical that we knew that our solution met the target before we went to the real engine, Akinyemi says. With the single cylinder experiments we were able to isolate the combustion process. When we built the full-scale engine, the results were very close.

GE estimates that the new locomotive, which is packed with a new turbocharger, fuel injection, exhaust system, and other advanced technologies, will save its rail customers billions without giving up any of the performance of the 5,000 ecomagination-qualified Evolution Series locomotives, which now pull freight around the world.

Read more at: http://www.rdmag.com/News/Feeds/2012/08 ... -models-h/

[Allen Hazen]

Very interesting. Given the strong negative comments on urea treatments, I guess we can take it that GE is NOT going that way.
Just how you get a diesel engine to burn cooler while still producing the same power with the same amount of fuel I have no idea! Maybe LOTS of air is part of the scheme: there was mention of a new turbocharger.

[ScotCP356]

I heard about this type of locomotive. But I don't understand why does this unit pose to be better than the older Evolution Series locomotive that came out in 2005? And also would this unit replace the older evolution series or no?

[GEVO]

Starting in 2015, all new Class 1 NA Locomotives built have to meet Tier 4 Emissions specs. That is the main reason for the new model.

[ScotCP356]

Starting in 2015, all new Class 1 NA Locomotives built have to meet Tier 4 Emissions specs. That is the main reason for the new model.

So all 7 class one railroads will have to get the new locomotives in 2015 to meet the Tier 4 Emissions?

[MEC407]

If they plan on buying new locomotives in 2015, yes. All of GE's North American Evolution Series locomotives will meet Tier 4 at that time. The current Evolution Series locomotives are Tier 3, having replaced the original Tier 2 versions.

That does NOT mean the railroads have to stop using their Tier 3 or Tier 2 locomotives in 2015.

[ScotCP356]

Ah I see, thanks for the information!!

[DutchRailnut]

A locomotive needs to comply with emission standard as build, an older locomotive built(for example) as tier 1 can continue to operate under tier 1 rules.
Only if major rebuild of engine or replacement of engine is done, need the locomotive to be upgraded. as long as original type engine is kept, it keeps same tier 1 rating.

[GEVO]

Not exactly. Changes have been made for rebuilding Class 1 railroad diesel engines also. There are currently only Tier 1+ and most recently Tier 2+ engines upon rebuild. This came about as part of EPA rule 1033. Rule 1033 created Tier 0+, Tier 1+, & Tier 2+ revised emission standards. (Tier 0+ from '08 was replaced by Tier 1+ in '10)

GE’s 1033 Locomotive Emissions Kits were created to ensure that GE’s installed base of over 5,600 Non-Tier, Tier 0, and Tier 1 locomotives operating in the US are capable of meeting the EPA Part 1033 Emissions Regulations, which are required for all Non-Tier, Tier 0, and Tier 1 locomotives at overhaul as of January 2010. The kits also allow customers to extend the life of a locomotive while improving its emissions profile.

So to summarize, all Class 1 diesel engines that were originally built as Non-Tier, Tier 0, and Tier 1 are being built as Tier 1+ engines when they come in for a rebuild, which is typically after about 7 years of service. This started Jan 1 2010.

Class 1 Tier 2 diesel engines use the "Evolution Series Tier 2+ Emissions Kit" on current rebuilds.

Class 1 Tier 3 diesel engines that need rebuilt for some reaon would remain Tier 3 at this time.

Non Class 1's diesel engines can still currently be rebuilt the same as originally configured.

[MEC407]

Even as someone who follows this industry quite closely, I continue to be mystified by these standards and the way they're applied. I have great respect for the folks who have to deal with these regulations on a day to day basis!

[DutchRailnut]

Tier 0 locomotives being overhauled by GE, are still being released as Tier 0 as of today.

[GEVO]

The Tier 0's being rebuilt are not for class 1 RRs. They even rebuild the old mechanicals but again, not for class 1 RR's. Tier 0 for class 1's disappeared the beginning of 2008 with the implementation of the 0+ which in 2010 became the Tier 1+.

[MEC407]

GE Transportation has a new promotional video about their Tier 4 Evolution Series locomotive. Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RyYkWEPiqM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Allen Hazen]

The "Trains" Locomotive Annual (which hit the shelves of my local stores last week) has a one-page story on this new locomotive. Two photos, one a rear view which makes it very obvious that the radiator has been enlarged again: it looks like an AC60. (The very small data table in the article says the locomotive is 74 feet 8 inches long: 18 inches longer than current GEVO, but still 16 inches shorter than an AC60. Anybody know off hand how the length compares to the units with extra radiator capacity built for one of the Western Australian iron ore railroads?)

The article says that GE consulted with the railroads before making design decisions. "Infrastructure readiness, product reliability, maintainability, fuel efficiency, and a non-urea based technology were critical demands. The latter has been almost universally rejected as an acceptable option." The middle three (reliability, maintainability, fuel efficiency)are "of course" demands! The first may be an aspect of the last: wasn't one of the fears that a urea-based system would need special servicing, and so additional investment to equip service points?

There is also the statement that "During the past decade, GE has spent more than $600 million on technologies developed to meet emissions standards while simultaneously improving reliability, fuel efficiency, and operator comfort." That's worded in a way that allows the $600 million to cover ALL GE locomotive R&D in the period, but even so it suggests something about why new locomotives are as expensive as they are.

(Thanks for posting the U-tube link!)

[MEC407]

Nice photo of a new Tier 4 ES44AC by John Crisanti:

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/454060" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;