Ethanol Fuelled Auxiliary Power Unit for Diesel-Electric Locomotives

• Grant number: 23/13740-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Murilo Rodrigues Rodelli
• Grantee: Murilo Rodrigues Rodelli
• Company: Liconic Soluções Tecnológicas Ltda
• CNAE: Pesquisa e desenvolvimento experimental em ciências físicas e naturais ; Atividades profissionais, científicas e técnicas não especificadas anteriormente ; Aluguel de máquinas e equipamentos não especificados anteriormente
• City: Sorocaba
• Pesquisadores principais: Eric de Souza Fernandes
• Associated researchers: PAULO CESAR GALDINO FELIX ; Thiago Martins Silva

Abstract

All the locomotives in operation for heavy haul transportation in Brazil utilize their own engines, most of which have over 4,000 hp (approximately 3 MW) of power, as power units to maintain auxiliary systems such as air conditioning, lighting and pneumatic brakes, which together consume around 15 kWh. Given the characteristics of the Brazilian railway sector, with predominance of single tracks and the overloading of certain logistic corridors, the country's heavy haul locomotives remain stationary for 30% to 60% of their operating time, utilizing their diesel engines to meet their secondary energy needs. The aim of this project is to develop and test in a relevant environment an ethanol-based Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) for diesel-electric locomotives in operation in Brazil, reducing their diesel consumption, operational costs, and greenhouse gas emissions. (AU)