There's more on modifying locomotive diesel engines for biofuels from Steve, the PR man at Cummins in the UK. He says:
It is true, the engines used in the Virgin Voyagers are Cummins QSK19 750hp engines. Their horizontal configuration is designed specifically for use in high speed rail car applications. There were two minor modifications made to the engines to use B20 biodiesel. 1) Additional fuel filtration was added to protect the engine from any contaminents 2) The fuel feed and return hoses were replaced for a compatible spec. The original ones were made from nitrile, which like other natural rubber products can deteriorate with long term contact with biodiesel.
As a former polymer technologist (everyone's got to study something) I should know what the alternative synthetic rubber is.... but it was a long time a go. Steve adds
Cummins has recently announced that our high volume Industrial products are now compatible with B20 biodiesel.We are currently evaluating biodiesel blends beyond B20 and will communicate more details as they become available.
So keep 'em peeled.
Comments (5)
Fair play to Branson,
I've heard him talk on CNN over the weekend - and unlike many other industrialists - He know's hs stuff technically speaking... but does so in a clear and precise fashion also.
I'd like him to be the UK's spokesperson on the Biorefinery.
A figurehead like him would put the UK up there in the premierleague of Biorefinery-aspiring nations (e.g. US, Brazil etc) with a real figure head whom can give some real leadership in the issue.
Also, on the case in point, (as I'm working in the biodiesel industry....):
I'd like some more info on the fuel in question!
Feedstock? Source of FAME?
Standards met? EN 14214?
Where produced? And what date? ;) I ask since this is important.
Biocides or other additives added prior to blending?
Any plans to move to B30 blends in future?
All important questions - especially relating to any further modifications required.... or NOT so....
Are they still evaluating the fuel in this period? Or has evaluation already taken place?
Also Simon - the URL in the article appears to be broken.
Regards,
Mark
Posted by Mark C R UK | June 11, 2007 3:20 PM
Posted on June 11, 2007 15:20
Wasn't the diesel engine invented to use peanut oil as a fuel source? Surely it should not require much modification.
Posted by rob | June 13, 2007 11:58 AM
Posted on June 13, 2007 11:58
Good questions Mark, but I'll hunt down the Pr chaps at Virgin Biofuels and see what they're going to say.
Posted by Biofuelsimon | June 15, 2007 9:33 AM
Posted on June 15, 2007 09:33
The devil is in the detail. There's lots of different designs of diesel engines built around different power requirements and even simple things like the size of the injector nozzle can have a big difference on engine efficiency. One of the most interesting designs was used in a small number of British Rail Deltic locos, these used opposed pistons. Here is a pretty through description of Napier Deltic loco engines http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napier_Deltic. They're quite different though from the reciprocating Cummins engines we're talking about here.
Posted by Biofuelsimon | June 15, 2007 9:41 AM
Posted on June 15, 2007 09:41
Good afternoon, I would like to know if I can run my Mondeo on Bio diesel? Thanks for your reading and response, (it's on a 52 plate).
Posted by Ralph Simpson | February 9, 2008 4:40 PM
Posted on February 9, 2008 16:40