BIOCOAL TRIALS
Coal substitute shows promise.
THE MOST extensive trials of biocoal in Britain so far have been an “unqualified success”, giving hope for if or when coal becomes unviable.
The trials, a cooperation between the Advanced Steam Traction Trust and the Heritage Railway Association, took place at the 15in gauge Bure Valley Railway on June 11 and 14. Three smokeless fuel products from CPL Industries were tested against Welsh Ffos-y-Fran coal in 2-6-2 No. 6 Blickling Hall.
Homefire Ecoal50 came out on top, performing as well as regular coal; Homefire Ovals had 95% of the performance of coal, while Briteflame showed 80-85% of the performance but with much higher ash output.
BVR managing director Andrew Barnes commented: “All three fuels functioned well, but Homefire Ecoal50, made up of 50% biomass – notably crushed olive husks which would otherwise end up in landfill – and 50% traditional solid fuel fines, was an unqualified success, giving the same performance as Welsh coal while emitting up to 40% lower emissions.”
HRA CEO Steve Oates said the timing of the trials “couldn’t have been better, as carbon came under the spotlight at the G7 summit. Although heritage steam only produces 0.023% of total UK carbon emissions, we continue to be very focused on finding ways to reduce this further.”
Barnes added: “The trials
ALL THREE FUELS FUNCTIONED WELL Andrew Barnes, BVR managing director
have been a positive step forward for the future of heritage steam and suggest that, certainly for 15in gauge lines, we now have two viable alternatives to coal. More trials will, of course, be needed under controlled conditions for larger narrow gauge and standard gauge steam.”