An Independent trial on a Class 08 locomotive shows an AHT carbon clean and capture device yields significantly lower emissions and increased fuel efficiency.
The two-week test program on a 1960s shunter – conducted at the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre in the West Midlands – has achieved reductions of exhaust gas emissions by 22% and heavy particulates by 20%.
And as a bonus, the tests proved diesel fuel efficiency savings of 8%. This exciting study is a joint venture between cleantech pioneers AHT (Advanced Hydrogen Technologies) and Harry Needle Railroad Company (HNRC), specialists in storage and maintenance of rail vehicles.
Advanced Hydrogen Technologies designs and builds advanced hydrogen systems.
Through its award-winning proprietary technology, AHT harnesses the power of hydrogen to produce clean domestic energy and lower vehicle emissions.
AHT products create pure hydrogen. The clean energy generated can provide an eco-friendly source of affordable domestic energy, but can also reduce carbon emissions from diesel-powered vehicles.
Diesel engine carbon cleaning involves cleansing the internal combustion engines of carbon build-up that restricts the airways.
This restores the engine back to its optimum operating parameters, whilst simultaneously lowering its emissions.
In the first week of testing, Advanced Hydrogen Technologies used its revolutionary four cell hydrogen generator in the tests to generate the pure hydrogen injected into the diesel locomotive’s engine to remove residual carbon build up.
In the following week, they added a bespoke ‘capture’ device, which further reduced harmful emissions and particulates to complete the process.
Delivering hydrogen in this way means it does not harm any component within the engine – it only targets carbon build-up. Therefore, streamlining diesel locomotives in this way can benefit an operator from both a cost-cutting and environmental perspective, without removing any parts or using any harsh chemicals.
These tests form part of the Clean Futures Programme recently run by the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO), a not-for-profit Research and Technology Organisation that operates the unique Rail Development & Test facility at its £32million site in Dudley.
As we reported last month, a Midland Metro Class T69 is to become a test vehicle for the Clean Futures programme at the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation.
And why not check out the progress of the German trains powered by hydrogen fuel cells ?
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
Marcus Mayers of Harry Needle Railroad Company
SOURCE: Rail Advent
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