Industry Testing Verifies Fuel Economy Gains and Emissions Reductions
25 February 2008 15:22
International Fuel Technology have completed research and development efforts on DiesoLIFT 10 in rail engine applications. DiesoLIFT 10 is IFT's proprietary fuel additive formulation for use with diesel fuel and bio-diesel fuel blends.
Extensive testing at independent test facilities worldwide have demonstrated that use of DiesoLIFT 10 significantly increased fuel economy and reduced CO2 and particulate matter emissions. For example, IFT completed three phases of rail engine testing at MI Technology Group, a U.K. based independent test laboratory.
The tests were organized by the Rail Safety and Standards Board and the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) in the UK, and were supervised by Interfleet, a world-renowned rail consultant employed by ATOC. Test results demonstrated that use of DiesoLIFTTM 10 increased fuel economy by 6% (at 90% load factor) in a Cummins locomotive with 35,000 miles of operational use.
The benefits of DiesoLIFT 10 have been demonstrated in use with numerous rail engines (Cummins, Perkins and General Motors) and diesel fuel types (No.2 diesel, European EN590 diesel and Ultra low sulfur diesel and bio-diesel B-20).
As a result of the successful research and development efforts with DiesoLIFT 10, IFT has commitments from numerous rail operators to commence field validation trials in the first half of 2008. In addition, the successful research and development effort has convinced a number of prominent fuel additive distribution companies to partner with IFT to market and distribute DiesoLIFT 10 to the rail and other industries.
"Three years ago we set out to unequivocally demonstrate to the rail industry that we had a fuel additive technology that could provide substantial cost savings through fuel economy improvement, lower maintenance costs and reduced greenhouse gas and particulate emissions," said Sergio Trindade, IFT's Chief of Science and Technology. "The process has been deliberate but we have now succeeded in demonstrating our claims. We are highly confident that upcoming field validation trials will lead to the introduction of DiesoLIFTTM 10 into the railroad fuel stream."
"The rail industry consumes a significant amount of diesel fuel annually," said Gary Kirk, IFT's Director of Sales and Marketing. “The US rail industry alone consumes approximately six billion gallons annually. At a 5% improvement in fuel economy, use of DiesoLIFTTM could save US rail operators an aggregate of 300 million gallons of diesel fuel annually. With wholesale diesel prices approaching US$3.00 per gallon, that translates into annually savings approaching US$1 billion."
"I expect IFT to realize revenues from the sale of DiesoLIFTTM 10 to the rail industry in 2008," said Jonathan Burst, IFT's CEO. "The rail application has been our primary focus since inception, so completing extensive R&D work and advancing to the field validation trial stage is a significant milestone for IFT. The value proposition we offer to the rail industry is irrefutable and will also contribute to improving our planet for generations to come."
For more information on this company:
International Fuel Technology, Inc. - Diesolift Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuel Additive
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