CSX, CPKC unveil first hydrogen-powered locomotive
30 April 2024
CSX unveiled its first hydrogen-powered locomotive, marking a significant milestone in sustainable freight transportation. This achievement is the result of a successful partnership between CSX and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC).
The hydrogen locomotive was converted from an existing diesel locomotive using a hydrogen conversion kit developed by CPKC. The transformation took place at the CSX locomotive shop in Huntington, W.Va.
Converting an existing unit into a next-generation locomotive further extends the useful life of the asset. The conversion team reused several components, including the frame, cab, traction motors, and trucks.
This groundbreaking locomotive makes its debut less than 12 months after the collaboration between CSX and CPKC was announced in the summer of 2023.
As the next step, CSX will deploy the new hydrogen-powered locomotive for field testing and further evaluate its performance and operational feasibility. This initiative marks a significant stride forward in CSX's ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Burning hydrogen in a diesel will probably create lots of nitrogen oxides.
Posted by: SJC | 30 April 2024 at 08:47 AM
SJC
How does nitrogen oxides come into play since the diesel fuels is replaced by hydrogen its not used with the diesel fuel???
Posted by: THEBANKER | 30 April 2024 at 09:12 AM
Hi SJC
The nitrous emissions from hydrogen combustion may be overstated:
https://www.power-eng.com/hydrogen/when-it-comes-to-hydrogen-were-probably-overestimating-nox-emissions-heres-why/#gref
' Like natural gas, combusting hydrogen at high temperatures produces nitrogen oxide whose emissions need to be permitted by an environmental regulator and controlled.
But hydrogen’s molecular makeup means that it produces nitrogen oxide (NOx) differently than methane-based natural gas.
Researchers have found that a standard method used across the industry to calculate NOx emissions from gas-fueled power plants can result in potentially big errors when applied to hydrogen as an energy source.
The error may complicate the case for introducing more hydrogen into the electric power generating mix.'
Posted by: Davemart | 30 April 2024 at 09:42 AM
IMO you are better off doing offsets and putting H2 into railways where they have enough space and can have heavy, bulky storage, rather than try to squeeze it into aircraft.
But you would have to verify the offsets continuously or people will cheat.
Posted by: mahonj | 30 April 2024 at 11:52 AM
Hi Jim:
So what are you going to do for aircraft?
SAF? From what sources, in sufficient quantity for the massive expansion the aircraft industry projects over the next 25 years?
I have seen zero on that from them.
Posted by: Davemart | 30 April 2024 at 12:17 PM
Burning hydrogen in a diesel can be five times the NOX than burning natural gas
The flame is much hotter, this is what creates the nitrogen oxides.
Posted by: SJC | 01 May 2024 at 05:26 AM