SmartBurn™

SmartBurn™ was developed for the Evolution Series® and provides locomotive users with the flexibility to change locomotive emissions performance based on the locomotive’s operating condition and location. The locomotive’s emissions performance is set in the factory, in compliance with the regulations that are in effect in the locomotive’s intended country or region of application.

The Environmental Challenge

Railroads face a variety of environmental regulations and pressure points both domestically and internationally. GE sought to provide locomotive users with the flexibility to change locomotive performance characteristics based on the locomotives operating condition and location.

GE’s Innovative Solution

SmartBurn™ enables the application of a GeoZone around a pre-defined region. This means that different operating points can be established to meet different emissions levels, performance levels or any variety of performance/operational metrics required for these pre-defined regions.

Once inside the GeoZone, the transition from one mode of performance to another is accomplished automatically, without any required action from the crew or dispatcher operating and controlling the train. Additionally, there is no disruption to the performance of the locomotive.

Environmental Impact

SmartBurn™ Mode 1 reduces NOx emissions below US EPA Tier 2 NOx Levels. An Evolution series locomotive operating in SmartBurn Mode 1 results in the significant reduction of NOx emissions. For example, an Evolution series locomotive operating in SmartBurn Mode 1, while in California's South Coast Management District for 20 percent of its operating time, will reduce NOx emissions by 22 percent when compared to an Evolution series locomotive without SmartBurn™.

Cutting Costs

SmartBurn™ Mode 2 offers the innovative flexibility and adaptability of balancing engine performance and emissions control, resulting in potential fuel savings of over 3 percent.