Argonne lab research supporting Progress Rail’s use of hydrous ethanol

In Illinois, using hydrous ethanol as a dual fuel in internal combustion engines may help reduce greenhouse gases in the rail industry.

Climate change is inspiring many industries to examine how greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be reduced. Rail and marine, which together account for about 4% of transportation’s GHG emissions, are a relatively small but important area where progress can be made.

A principal mechanical engineer at the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory won a Technology Commercialization Fund (TCF) Award from DOE to expand his research on how a renewable alcohol-based biofuel can serve as a dual fuel to help decarbonize locomotive engines. His research is also relevant to port and inland marine vessels, such as tugboats and ferries.

He is working closely with Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, to develop a second fuel system that can be installed in existing locomotives to supply hydrous ethanol to engines.