Adaptation of the railway system to biofuels. Improvements made and future prospects

Abstract

In Argentina, biofuels are used in different proportions in fuels, as a mandatory cut, since the implementation of Law 26.093 for the Promotion of Biofuels. The fuels used in the railway are Grade 2 Diesel (500 ppm Sulfur) and Grade 3 Diesel (10 ppm Sulfur), and currently contain 7.5% biodiesel, which may vary according to the resolutions of the Secretary of Energy of the Nation. The change in the chemical nature of the fuel and its consequent behavior in the facilities of the railway companies, originated a series of inconveniences in the fuel supply of the Service Stations and in the Rolling Stock. From this, tests were carried out to evaluate the consequences of fuel degradation and the mitigating conditions thereof. Based on the results, improvements were proposed in storage conditions, fuel use cycles and materials used in the facilities. Finally, the impact of these proposed improvements implemented was evaluated and the outlook was analyzed in the face of continuous changes in the type and composition of fuels.