Railroad Locomotive Diesel Engines
Why Locomotives Need Orion 5000-EL
Your locomotive diesel engine needs Orion 5000-EL for these very important reasons:
- To counter act the effects of ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel
- To meet clean air requirements
June 2012: The Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel Mandate Begins
In June 2012, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will lower the sulfur limit in diesel fuel from 500 ppm to 15 ppm. Removing the sulfur from the fuel removes its natural lubricating properties. That means two things:
1. Reduced fuel efficiency and increased fuel costs
2. Increased engine wear
| Who | Covered Fuel | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | |
| Large Refiners & Importers | LOCOMOTIVE & MARINE | 500+ ppm |
500 ppm |
500 ppm |
500 ppm |
500 ppm |
500 ppm |
15 ppm |
15 ppm |
15 ppm |
|
| Except in California, compliance dates for Non-Road, Locomotive and Marine fuels in the years indicated are: June 1 for refiners and importers, August 1 downstream from refineries through fuel terminals, October 1 for retail outlets, and December 1 for in-use. | |||||||||||
| In California, all diesel fuel transitioned to ULSD in 2006. Locomotive and Marine diesel fuels were required to transition to 15 ppm ULSD effective January 1, 2007. | |||||||||||
Smoke Opacity Standards Must be Met
Locomotive engines must also meet EPA smoke opacity standards.
As good as ULSD fuel is for the environment, your diesel engine is still kicking out ash, particulate matter (PM), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon monoxide caused by diesel fuel combustion.
| Steady-state | 30-sec peak | 3-sec peak | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 0 | 30 | 40 | 50 |
| Tier 1 | 25 | 40 | 50 |
| Tier 2 and Later | 20 | 40 | 50 |
Orion 5000-EL Addresses the Shortcomings of ULSD Fuels
Today's (ULSD) fuels are better for the environment but harder on diesel engines. Because of the reduced sulfur content in ULSD, there are lower levels of lubricity resulting in reduced fuel economy, excessive engine and component wear, and increased maintenance intervals. Less lubricity leads to more metal on metal wear so there's not only more engine scarring, the pace of the metal wear is also accelerated.
Orion 5000-EL is a synthetic engine and fuel lubricant. Orion 5000-EL provides the extra lubricity that ULSD fuels lack and that diesel engines need. Orion 5000-EL lubricates faster moving metal parts, reducing metal on metal wear, and maximizing engine power. Ultimately, Orion 5000-EL improves fuel efficiency.
Orion 5000-EL Reduces Emissions
When added to the fuel tank, Orion 5000-EL reduces emissions. It enables the fuel to burn cleaner providing more energy, power and performance, and improving fuel efficiency. The natural polarity of Orion 5000-EL's formulation increases detergency through solubility and dispersal. Orion 5000-EL disperses the carbon, varnish and sludge from the walls of the fuel line back into the fuel where it is burned completely during the combustion process.
Orion 5000-EL clients have demonstrated 30% reductions in particulate matter (PM) emissions, with results often higher, using Red Mountain Engineering Smoke Check 1667 opacity meters (SAE J1667 standard specifications).
The increased cetane content in Orion 5000-EL reduces dangerous NOx emissions especially in locomotives where less cetane-insensitive technologies exist. In an ASTM D613 test—Cetane Number of Diesel Fuel––Orion 5000-EL increased the cetane level of diesel fuel 4.5%.
Orion 5000-EL burns nearly ashless. In an ASTM D482 test— Ash Content from Petroleum Products–– Orion 5000-EL was found to burn 99.9999% ashless upon combustion.
Successfully Implemented In the Real World
Orion 5000-EL has been successfully implemented in locomotive diesel engines. Our clients have experienced a 16% increase in fuel efficiency and an 86% reduction in emissions.