An impartial1 trial of Superior Hydrogen Applied sciences (AHT) Group’s carbon clear and seize gadget has reported considerably decrease emissions and elevated gas effectivity from a Class 08 locomotive, says the group.
Throughout the breakthrough two-week testing2 on a Nineteen Sixties shunter – carried out on the world-class Very Mild Rail Nationwide Innovation Centre within the West Midlands – general exhaust fuel emissions had been lowered by 22% and heavy particulates by 20%, whereas diesel effectivity financial savings of 8% had been achieved too.
This groundbreaking research is a three way partnership partnership between cleantech pioneers AHT and Harry Needle Railroad Firm (HNRC) who’re leaders within the storage and upkeep of rail autos. It varieties a part of the Clear Futures programme just lately run by the Black Nation Progressive Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO), which incorporates the distinctive Rail Improvement & Take a look at facility at its £32million website in Dudley.
The primary week of testing noticed AHT’s revolutionary 4 cell system hydrogen generator3 ‘clean’ the HNRC’s Class 08 locomotive by eradicating residual carbon construct up, which is worst in diesel and older engines, whereas the next week a bespoke ‘capture’ gadget was added, which additional lowered dangerous emissions and particulates to finish the method.
Marcus Mayers of HNRC stated: “This was the ideal opportunity to solve the pressing issue of how to measure and quantify the benefits of hydrogen, which has been holding us back for years. Access to both AHT’s specialist technology and BCIMO’s outstanding testing facilities has given us the data and backing we need to have a proven business investment case for upgrading our locomotives.”
AHT CEO, Ben Kattenhorn, commented: “These landmark outcomes are additional proof that our award-winning proprietary know-how reduces carbon footprint and gas prices, whereas serving to companies meet their Internet Zero targets. We additionally know these figures get even higher over time, as a result of a latest 18-month research on HGVs lowered the worst emissions by over 91%.
“Rail is one of the sectors most under scrutiny, but Engine Carbon Clean and Capture offers an immediate solution – also restoring engine efficiency and power, lowering maintenance costs, extending the lifespan of assets and aligning with the new ESG requirements of the International Financial Reporting Standards mandate.”
Throughout testing, a baseline studying was in contrast with these generated submit clear after the R4 hydrogen generator was fitted, which decided the common 8% gas saving. Likewise, particular person emissions reductions of 27% Carbon Monoxide, 8% Carbon Dioxide, 22% Nitric Oxide, 12% Nitrogen Dioxide and 39% Formaldehyde had been achieved.
The seize gadget additional lowered particulate matter by a fifth (20%) and particularly these lower than 2.5 micron in diameter, that are strongly related to detrimental well being results. Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 stay airborne for lengthy durations and may be drawn deeper into the lungs and bloodstream.
The best way the hydrogen is delivered means it’s not detrimental to any part inside the engine – it solely targets carbon build-up – so streamlining heavy obligation business autos on this manner can profit a enterprise from each a cost-cutting and environmental perspective and with out eradicating any components or utilizing any harsh chemical substances.
What’s extra, AHT’s Engine Carbon Clear & Seize system is totally modular and may be fitted to any sized or sort of locomotive and can quickly be mainline licensed to provide tangible outcomes that contribute to the underside line – see visible 1 on typical locomotive financial savings every year.
Notes
[1] Carried out in March 2024 by impartial testing specialists Atmo, who use the newest software program, IoT and information evaluation to optimise asset utilization and cut back environmental emissions.
[2] Over 17,000 air pollutant and exhaust fuel emission readings had been taken by way of MCERTS-accredited air high quality sensors. Every testing day adopted the identical methodology with newly calibrated sensors holding observe and tunnel location, air high quality sensor placement, loco pace, plus amps constant for each take a look at.
[3] This revolutionary system takes strange faucet water and turns it into pure medical-grade hydrogen and oxygen on demand, which can be utilized in a number of disciplines and industries. The water to be processed doesn’t require cleansing because the AHT R4 Generator has a singular military-grade filter which prepares even unclean water to be used. When burned, the only real by-product is innocent water.
