Fuel efficiency significantly improved for major rail customers


The Challenge

Colas Rail and Northern Railway were faced with the challenge of reducing the environmental impact of their processes, in line with their sustainability initiatives.

Specifically, they wanted to reduce the number of filter changes, and better protect their fuel injectors, to increase uptime across their fleets, whilst also delivering a reduction in fuel consumption.

In order to do this they needed a solution that would reduce contamination within their processes.

 

The Solution

Unipart implemented FuelActive filters to the CAF 195 Civity DMU for Northern Railway, and to the CC4403 Grinder for Colas.

The FuelActive dynamic fuel pick-up system is a unique and proven technology that delivers 92% cleaner fuel to diesel engines, reducing fuel related contamination and increasing fuel efficiency.

As a result, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are reduced by up to 5% and engine reliability is improved, reducing the total cost of ownership and extending the life expectancy of the engine. Blockages and damage to fuel pumps and injectors are also avoided, reducing failure related downtime and maintenance costs.

The Impact

For both customers, the FuelActive solution significantly reduced contamination sent to the filters and the engine, protecting sensitive engine components.
Based on current data, the full impacts of the FuelActive solution are:
• A filter contamination reduction of 82.5% in pre-filters and 66.8% in secondary filters compared to a conventional pick-up pipe
• A contamination reduction of 82.2% (1.727 grams) across the filtration system compared to a conventional pick-up pipe
• An extension of filter life by 258% compared to a conventional pick-up pipe on Colas Rail Grinder
• A repair and maintenance cost reduction of £1,360 for Colas Rail for condition-based filter changes per year, per engine.*

*This does not include cost of contaminated filter disposal (12 Filter changes per year – reduced to 4)