Cattle-based fuel runs Oklahoma-Texas passenger train By KELLY P. KISSEL Associated Press ABOARD THE HEARTLAND FLYER -- Amtrak and transportation officials from Oklahoma and Texas have started a yearlong test to see whether beef-based biodiesel can efficiently run The Heartland Flyer passenger train between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth. Texas cattle are supplying 20 percent of the fuel for the 3,200-horsepower engine, the rest is regular No. 2 diesel. In ceremonies Tuesday at the Sante Fe station in downtown Oklahoma City, government and railroad officials announced the test as part of this week's Earth Day events. After a year, Amtrak will inspect the engine and collect exhaust data. Other tests will be performed throughout the year. The train stops at Oklahoma City, Norman, Purcell, Pauls Valley and Ardmore in Oklahoma and at Gainesville and Fort Worth in Texas.
I wonder what the energy footprint of the conversion is? I know someone who collects waste grease and oil and such and makes his own biodiesel. It's ideal from an engine perspective since the primary needed conversion is a clean fuel filter. Otherwise there's as far as I know no modification needed. There was a shortline in California that was running Bio I thought and stopped due to costs. But heck, if you can reuse the carbon. Of course, "what" aspect of the beef is being turned into fuel? The leftovers from the slaughterhouse? The Manure?
The Grand Canyon Railway is using biodiesel to operate its passenger trains If it's the latter, well........the Oklahoma state legislature IS in session now, so....... Seriously, I'm not sure, unless it's the tallow off the cattle.
For the technical-minded, here is a link to a Wikipedia piece on biodiesel manuafcture. It does mention animal fats, as well as vegetable oil, as base products. Thanks to my foggy memory of organic chemistry, I kindasortamoreorless understood the process.
The Star Telegram was on hand to photograph the arrival of the train in Fort Worth. The photos can be viewed here. http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/04/20/2129386/amtrak-test-train-runs-on-bio.html
I saw the Channel 11 (Dallas) story on this yesterday. They had some nice video of the train. Very interesting concept. Willie would be proud.
If that's the case, then given the Greenhouse gas impact of raising Cattle and not just CO2 which is disputed by some, but the undisputed impacts of Methane and such, this seems like not a very environmentally friendly move....depending on the energy impact involved in the rendering. I suppose as long as they're just using offal that would be there either way it's fine.
Here is a link to the story in the Dallas Morning News today. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon...owpower_21tex.ART.State.Edition1.4c651ad.html
