Project Summary
H2T3 – This project aims to further develop the Type Approved and Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) accepted, EcoPro Catalytic Hydrogen Electrolyser System, an existing commercial product reducing emissions and improving fuel burn on Internal Combustion Engines.It will prove through independent trials on an engine test bed, that it can reduce Green House Gasses and exhaust emissions, specifically NitrousOxides to Marpol Tier III levels.. These results will be used as evidence to work towards an Alternative NOx Certification process for existing vessel engines and vessels currently unable to achieve MARPOL Tier III due to limitations in space or stability issues.
Project Achievements
First, we had to identify exactly what would be required to achieve acceptable Tier III evidence – we were breaking new ground with this project, so there was no road map set up for us to follow! Then, we had to find a formula to convert the live ppm emissions results to g/kWh, sub-contract the task of identifying the testing parameters, designing the program to collect it and the means of working out what data we actually needed to pick and how to use it! We ran live trials on two fishing vessels and a CTV to gather data to analyse.
Conclusions
We have successfully demonstrated in real-world conditions, that Catalytic Hydrogen can be used to bring a Tier II diesel engine’s NOx emissions down to a level below that required for Tier III, – a reduction in weighted NOx emissions of 65.98% to achieve 2.81% below Tier III. The ability for smaller fishing vessels to comply with Tier III requirements without the costs involved in moving bulkheads, or re-engine and install large SCR and DPF systems will enable owners to continue to operate. By burning fuel more efficiently, they will reduce running costs – financially benefitting from reducing pollution and going green.
Next Steps
We would like to try to lower emissions levels even further and demonstrate this on a variety of engines, we would also like to develop a means or reporting live PPM emissions on Marine vessels. We will be working towards proving results and producing the Technical File required to support the NOx calculations for vessels to be certified as Tier III compliant. We hope to move the emission reduction benefits and NOx evidencing capabilities of the EcoPro into other transport areas including plant and machinery operating in Low Emission Zones and built-up areas where PPM pollution is adversely affecting the health of local people.
