Tractor fitted with tech in bid to reduce carbon emissions
ELECTROLYSER ALSO SAID TO CUT FUEL CONSUMPTION
ACOLLEGE tractor has been retrofitted with fuel-saving technology originally designed for buses. Coleg Glynllifon in Gwynedd is trialling the use of a hydrogen electrolyser in the hope of reducing carbon emissions.
A small box has been plumbed into the tractor’s air intake by South Yorkshire start-up Water Fuel Systems, which claims the device can cut exhaust emissions by up to 80% and fuel consumption by 20%.
It contains an electrolyser, which splits distilled water into hydrogen and oxygen by passing an electrical current through the box.
The resulting oxyhydrogen is injected into the tractor’s conventional diesel engine at a rate of around 6%.
If the box stops working for any reason, the machine will revert to conventional diesel power.
By changing the characteristics of the air in the combustion chamber, it produces a “better burn” of fuel, which leads to a cleaner engine.
As a result, diesel particulate filters need replacing less often.
Some users have also reported an increase in usable power.
In a bid to further boost its green credentials, the Coleg Glynllifon team
sourced its distilled water from Anglesey’s Halen Môn, it being a co-product from sea salt production.
Engineering lecturer Gareth Williams said: “It is fantastic to be able to trial this new piece of equipment to show the next generation of farmers and contractors that low carbon farming methods are possible with existing and affordable farm machinery.”
In the UK, hydrogen electrolysers were first trailed on tractors in Scotland in 2018, since when purchase and installation costs have plummeted.
The technology can be retrofitted on to older tractors and many other types of agri machinery, including telehandlers. It even works with 4x4s.
This winter, as part of a Farming Connect project, Glynllifon’s agricultural engineering students will be monitoring fuel use and emissions on the college’s retrofitted John Deere tractor.
On a recent visit to the campus, near Caernarfon, rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths was shown how the process works in practice.
She said: “Given the importance of playing our part in tackling the climate emergency, it is great to see practical solutions being trialled here in North Wales.”