Georgia Ports Authority Studies Diesel Additive
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Port’s Study Shows Diesel Additive Increases Fuel Efficiency and Reduces Emissions
Savannah, Ga. – August 13, 2010 – The Georgia Ports Authority’s (GPA) Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz announced today that its diesel additive study yielded a five percent reduction in fuel consumption, as well as drastically decreased emissions.
“We undertook this study as a proactive effort to reduce our environmental footprint,” said GPA’s Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz. “As we expand our operations to accommodate increased cargo, we continue to look for ways to improve efficiencies and operate in an even more environmentally-friendly manner.”
GPA’s engineering staff commissioned a study to determine whether a fuel additive would be effective in reducing pollutant emissions and increasing engine fuel efficiency for its diesel equipment fleet. WPC of Savannah, Ga., was contracted to conduct the test and provide analysis. This large-scale test studied two of the most widely used container-handling equipment at the Port of Savannah.
“We were pleasantly surprised to see these dramatic results said GPA’s Senior Director of Engineering and Facilities Maintenance Wilson Tillotson. “With the large-scale nature of this study, we are confident the additive will yield an improvement in fuel efficiency and a signi ficant reduction in emissions.”
In January 2010, the GPA conducted a baseline monitoring for its diesel vehicle fleet at Garden City Terminal. The study included a diesel vehicle fleet of 64 rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs) and 40 jockey trucks. Baseline monitoring consisted of collecting emissions and fuel consumption data with all vehicles using ultra-low-sulfur diesel without the additive.
For emissions monitoring, the test measured the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) criteria pollutants: nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter. Fuel consumption and operating hours were measured to develop a consumption rate in gallons per hour.
“The intent of the fuel additive is to yield a more complete and efficient fuel combustion,” said Joseph R. Ross, Jr., Senior Associate and Environmental Department Manager with WPC. “By increasing the combustion efficiency, not only are fuel savings evident, the formation of criteria air pollutants is also reduced. These reductions will benefit all of Chatham County by reducing pollutant concentrations and helping to maintain compliance with state and federal attainment criteria.”
The result of the study indicated a decrease of approximately five percent in fuel consumption. Reductions in EPA criteria pollutants were more significant. Particulate matter reductions averaged as high as 71 percent, while nitrogen dioxide decreased as much as 20 percent and carbon monoxide decreased an average of 19 percent. The study did not produce conclusive results regarding the impact of the additive on sulfur dioxide emissions. However, GPA’s conversion in 2008 to ultra-low-sulfur diesel reduced the total sulfur content by 99 percent.
“The results are proof-positive that these additives work,” said Tillotson. “We plan to continue using fuel additives for all diesel consumed on GPA property.”
Through the GPA’s crane electrification, use of refrigerated container racks, upcoming RTG repower project and use of fuel additives, the Port of Savannah will avoid use of more than 4.5 million gallons of fuel annually.
Georgia’s deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 295,000 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $15.5 billion in income, $61.7 billion in revenue and $2.6 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’s economy.
About WPC, a Terracon company:
WPC joined Terracon in September of 2009 and provides professional services to clients in the commercial development, education, environmental, government/military, industrial facilities, medical, power/utilities, residential and transportation industries. Terracon is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm with more than 2,700 employees providing geotechnical, environmental, construction materials and facilities services from more than 100 offices in 37 states nationwide. Terracon provides value to its clients through the following key benefits: reliability, responsiveness, convenience and innovation. Terracon currently ranks 46th on Engineering News-Record’s List of Top500 Design Firms.
For more information contact: http://www.wpceng.com/ or http://www.terracon.com/.
For additional information, please contact Robert Morris, Director of External Affairs, at (912) 964-3855 or fax at (912) 964-3921.
E-mail is available via rmorris@gaports.com.
Visit the GPA web site at http://www.gaports.com/
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