A British company, Advanced Hydrogen Technologies Group (AHT), has developed a new system for cleaning diesel engines to provide greater fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.

The system has been independently tested using Abels moving vehicles from the AGM Group and through the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire on behalf of industrial chemicals company ICL. The company says that fuel and maintenance savings more than cover the cost of the treatment and provide an ongoing reduction in carbon emissions.

Engine Carbon Clean & Capture is a process developed through motorsport, including Formula 1. The system uses hydrogen and oxygen, fed into the air intake of the vehicle, that combusts under pressure, with the fuel.  This combustion causes micro-explosions that dislodge the carbon, purging the engine of deposits and capturing the heavy particulate matter (PM2.5), that causes health issues, before they can be released to the atmosphere.  It is suitable for all HGVs, vans or diesel cars. 

Ben Kattenhorn, in an interview for The Mover, explained that battery technology was not yet sufficiently advanced to serve the needs of all users.  However, by ensuring that their diesel engines were as clean as possible, companies could still make a significant difference to air quality and sustainability. 

The process is simple.  The cleaning takes place at the moving company’s premises. It takes around one hour per vehicle. It requires no dismantling of parts, nor does it use any harmful chemicals. Cleaning is recommended every three to four months. Each treatment costs £250. 

Test results from UTAC Millbrook, seen by The Mover, show reductions in CO₂ of 7.5%, CO of 84.0%, NOx of 16.3%, NO of 17.8%, N₂O of 35.3%, THCs (Total Hydrocarbons) of 99.2% and particulate matter of 61.7%. 

The stated fuel cost saving is 7.5% based on an articulated vehicle. For long-distance vehicles, covering 120,000 miles/year, this translates to an annual saving of £8,081 in the UK; €7,905 in Europe; $5,143 in the USA; R131,100 in South Africa; and AU$11,078 in Australia.  Savings for removals vehicles, with lower mileage, will be less.

Russel Start, AGM Group CEO, commented: “Conscious of the impact the carbon emissions from our fleet of HGV’s has on the environment on a daily basis we were keen to partner with AHT in a trial to prove the effectiveness of their carbon cleaning and carbon catching systems. Having the ability to remove up to 90% of carbon emissions from an HGV diesel engine and achieve a saving on fuel of up to 9% sounds fanciful, but their system works and it looks set to be a real game changer for fleet operators.”

More information is available in this video.  You can also email info@ahtgroup.co.uk.

Photo: The system has been independently tested using Abels moving vehicles from the AGM Group.