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What is bio-diesel? What are bio-diesel locomotives?

June 20, 2019, 12:07 PM
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Biodiesel is the name given to various fuels or diesel fuel mixtures that incorporate varying amounts of oils derived from plants. While in western countries interest has centred on soybean oil and other crops’ oils for use in diesel engines, in India, local plants such as ‘Ratanjyothi’ (Jatropha curcas), ‘Karanjia’ (Pongammia pinnata), and ‘Neem’ trees have proven useful as sources of oil suitable for use in diesel fuel. The benefits of such fuel mixtures are lower levels of polluting emissions, and lower fuel costs with large-scale cultivation of the plants. Byproducts include oilcake and glycerine. The characteristics of the diesel fuel have to be carefully balanced when these bio-diesel additives are used in order to maintain engine performance.

ये भी पढ़े – हाइपरटेंशन के 4 आसान आयुर्वेदिक उपचार, जल्द मिलेगा आराम

IR has been conducting trials with bio-diesel for some time now. A YDM-4 locomotive hauled the Trichi-Tanjore Passenger with a blend of 5% bio-diesel several times in July 2004 and later. Even earlier, the New Delhi – Amritsar Shatabdi Express was hauled by a 5% bio-diesel fueled locomotive on December 31, 2002 as a one-off experiment. Some other such trials are being carried out [4/04]. YDM-4 #6225 is now run by SR using a 10% biodiesel mixture, as is WDM-7 #11008. IR has plans for cultivation of the plants involved. A pilot plant capable of producting 150 liters of bio-diesel daily has been set up at the Loco Workshop in Chennai.

Source – IFRCA.org

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