Green Diesel?Fuel used by Mayan trains is low in sulfur but does cause pollution

Forty-six percent of the Maya’s train routes will run on electricity, with the remaining 54 percent running on fossil fuels.

The government boasted on social networks that for this will use “eco-diesel” produced at the Deer Park Refinery, This has sparked mixed reviews and the question of whether such a diesel actually exists.

Whether burned on the daily routes of trains or during oil extraction, there are still ecological impacts that can be mitigated by switching to renewable energy sources.

Although it produces fewer emissions than the gasoline commonly used in cars, it still needs to be burned to function, so it does produce emissions and is harmful to the environment.

The proposed alternative is biodieselA diesel-like fuel made from natural lipids (oils or animal fats).

On the other hand, diesel, which is called “eco” by the Mexican government, is known worldwide as Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel – ULSD, and It has been in use for at least twenty years.

exist Germany An economic incentive was implemented to remove the tax on “sulphur-free” fuels containing less than 10 ppm (parts per million) of sulfur per liter from January 2003, according to estimates Average sulfur content In 2006 it was already 3-5 ppm.

The diesel that Pemex will ship from Deer Park will be at 10 ppm, according to Maria Luisa Albores. Mexican standards call for 15 ppm as a limit, so that’s a third reduction, but some countries have used this type for years and have even lower sulfur levels.

“It’s not that the standard sets a limit, it means it’s good for the environment,” sustainability engineer Sofia Herrera said in an interview.

Diesel, biodiesel and organic diesel all three produce CO2 emissions Environmental impact due to fuel combustion.

None can be considered 100% clean energy

Also, Rodrigo Ugalde commented that another important factor is the engine used, not just the fuel. “It all depends on the mechanisms that are put in place to reduce emissions other than diesel,” he said.

So-called “eco” diesel does have a lower sulfur content and manages to have a lower emission factor. But “although levels have declined, the levels of pollutants produced remain high. There is still burning Sustainability Engineer clarifies.

herrera thinks The ideal would be to have a train that is 100% electric and fully sustainable. More efficient clean energy transportation technologies already exist.

It cannot be ignored that diesel, even low-sulfur diesel, is still a derivative of petroleum, and its extraction is extremely harmful to the environment. So continuing to produce also means impact.

The best thing for the environment, he said, would be electric trains using electricity generated from renewable sources.

An example is High Speed ​​Train Line Proposal Between San Francisco and Los Angeles, California, USA. The project has the potential for zero greenhouse gas emissions as it is planned to be powered by renewable energy from California.

Although its construction is not yet complete, the project demonstrates that the technology exists and that zero-emission trains are possible.

Work on the Mayan train has been questioned for advancing at different times without covering all environmental permitting procedures, cutting down trees for construction, and affecting fauna and natural spaces in the south of the country.

However, the government responded that there would be economic benefits and that the work included measures to mitigate environmental impact.