The influence of locomotive diesel engine transient operating modes on energy usage

This paper analyzes the influence of transient operating modes in the Cat 3512B-HD and MTU 4000 R41 locomotive diesel engines on their energy usage. This analysis represents an integral component of the technological research and development performed at Lietuvos Geležinkeliai AB (JSC Lithuanian Railways) with the objective of increasing the efficiency of freight transportation with the upgraded 2M62M and modern ER20CF/2ER20CF diesel locomotives. The influence of transient modes on the operating variables of the locomotive diesel engines was evaluated under operational load-cycling conditions to aid in the selection of appropriate parameters (e.g., the train weight, the diesel locomotive type, and the technical characteristics of the diesel locomotive to be modeled) for freight transportation on Lithuanian railway lines. It was determined that the engine's electronic control system compensates for the negative effects of transient operations on the engine's energy usage. As a result, the increase in fuel consumption is less than 3% during transient operation when compared to steady-state operation. Through this research, methodological foundations have been formulated and adapted for the use of the mathematical modeling of the transient modes of locomotive diesel engines to optimize freight transportation, resulting in an expected decrease of 10-15% in fuel consumption.