A tractor has been retrofitted with fuel-saving technology originally designed for buses.
In a bid to reduce carbon emissions, a Welsh college is trialling the use of a hydrogen electrolyser, which has been plumed into the tractor’s airtake.
The project by UK start-up Water Fuel Systems, claims the device can cut exhaust emissions by up to 80 per cent and fuel consumption by 20 per cent.
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.”
The electrolyser 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 per cent.
If the box stops working for any reason, the machine will revert to conventional diesel power.
The technology can be retrofitted on to older tractors and many other types of agri machinery, including telehandlers and 4×4s.
In the UK, hydrogen electrolysers were first trailed on tractors in Scotland in 2018, since when purchase and installation costs have become lower.
LSL News.