An impartial1 trial of Superior Hydrogen Applied sciences (AHT) Group’s carbon clear and seize system has reported considerably decrease emissions and elevated gas effectivity from a Class 08 locomotive, says the group.
In the course of the breakthrough two-week testing2 on a Sixties shunter – carried out on the world-class Very Gentle Rail Nationwide Innovation Centre within the West Midlands – total exhaust fuel emissions had been decreased by 22% and heavy particulates by 20%, whereas diesel effectivity financial savings of 8% had been achieved too.
This groundbreaking examine 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 automobiles. It kinds a part of the Clear Futures programme not too long ago run by the Black Nation Revolutionary Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO), which incorporates the distinctive Rail Growth & 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 ‘clear’ 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 ‘seize’ system was added, which additional decreased dangerous emissions and particulates to finish the method.
Marcus Mayers of HNRC mentioned: “This was the best alternative to unravel the urgent concern of the right way to measure and quantify the advantages of hydrogen, which has been holding us again for years. Entry to each AHT’s specialist expertise and BCIMO’s excellent testing services has given us the info and backing we have to have a confirmed enterprise funding case for upgrading our locomotives.”
AHT CEO, Ben Kattenhorn, commented: “These landmark outcomes are additional proof that our award-winning proprietary expertise reduces carbon footprint and gas prices, whereas serving to companies meet their Web Zero targets. We additionally know these figures get even higher over time, as a result of a latest 18-month examine on HGVs decreased the worst emissions by over 91%.
“Rail is likely one of the sectors most below scrutiny, however Engine Carbon Clear and Seize presents a right away resolution – additionally restoring engine effectivity and energy, reducing upkeep prices, extending the lifespan of property and aligning with the brand new ESG necessities of the Worldwide Monetary Reporting Requirements mandate.”
Throughout testing, a baseline studying was in contrast with these generated publish clear after the R4 hydrogen generator was fitted, which decided the typical 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 system additional decreased 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 could be drawn deeper into the lungs and bloodstream.
The best way the hydrogen is delivered means it’s not detrimental to any element throughout the engine – it solely targets carbon build-up – so streamlining heavy obligation business automobiles on this method can profit a enterprise from each a cost-cutting and environmental perspective and with out eradicating any elements or utilizing any harsh chemical compounds.
What’s extra, AHT’s Engine Carbon Clear & Seize system is totally modular and could be fitted to any sized or kind of locomotive and can quickly be mainline licensed to present tangible outcomes that contribute to the underside line – see visible 1 on typical locomotive financial savings each year.
Notes
[1] Carried out in March 2024 by impartial testing specialists Atmo, who use the most recent software program, IoT and knowledge evaluation to optimise asset utilization and scale back environmental emissions.
[2] Over 17,000 air pollutant and exhaust fuel emission readings had been taken through MCERTS-accredited air high quality sensors. Every testing day adopted the identical methodology with newly calibrated sensors holding monitor and tunnel location, air high quality sensor placement, loco velocity, plus amps constant for each check.
[3] This revolutionary system takes bizarre 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 by-product is innocent water.
