Ferrocarril del Sureste (Ferrosur) reduced fuel consumption in Mexico

Ferrocarril del Sureste Ferrosur used XBEE diesel engine additive in locomotives.

Ferrocarril del Sureste, commonly known as Ferrosur, is a railroad that serves the south-eastern regions of Mexico. This company was formed in 1998 following the privatization of Mexico’s railways.

In September 2002, the Mexican railway group Ferrocarril del Sureste entrusted the consulting firm Grupo Proveen S.A. with the mission of controlling the specific consumption of three diesel locomotives of 3,000 hp each.
In order to reduce uncertainties, these three locomotives worked on the same line, connecting Tierra Blanca to Coatzacoalcos (301 km long). In addition, the consumption of diesel fuel was directly related to the load transported and the distance travelled. Indeed, the consumption was measured in litres per 1,000 GTK (gross ton-kilometres). Finally, it was decided that the data would be collected during the months of October and November 2002.

General conditions
  1. Three identical locomotives of 3,000 hp each have been selected by the railroad company.
  2. One regular line has been selected: Tierra Blanca – Coatzacoalcos, back and forth, each trip being 301 km long.
  3. Data have been monitored during October and November 2002.
  4. Average weight has been determined during the evaluation period, including the measurement of the
    baseline without XBEE:
    from 960 to 1,500 tons per trip to Tierra Blanca
    from 1,200 to 1,800 tons per trip to Coatzacoalcos
  5. Environmental parameters such atmospheric pressure, Temperature and Humidity have been measured too.
GTK efficiency
Estimated monthly savings for Ferrosur:
Diesel consumption
GTK
Net savings
%
Diesel
savings
Economic
savings
6.7 mln Litres
830,000
7.79%
603,670 L
$145,000

In January 2003, the consulting firm communicated its report which indicated a reduction in specific fuel consumption of -8.92%!