ACS develops cleaner fuel

George Harakas PHD and colleagues from the Marine Maritime Academy (MMA) have created the environmentally friendly fuel by adding glycerol to low sulphur diesel to produce Bunker Green fuel – a member of the EcoHybrid family of fuels.

George Harakas PHD, assistant professor of chemistry, MMA, said to Greenport: “We are developing a fuel that will provide acceptable air emissions but not require significant equipment installation or retrofitting of the ships using the fuel. We intend to conduct field tests on the tug boat, Pentagoet – owned and operated by the MMA. We also envision EcoHybridfuel being used in locomotive engines and land based power generation applications.”

Tests at the Marine Engine Testing and Emissions Laboratory (METEL) at MMA found that Bunker Green fuel has the potential to lower fuel costs for the shipping industry and improve emissions.

Mr Harakas added: “Currently the cost of glycerol is quite low; that cost decreases as biodiesel production increases. Like all commodities the price will fluctuate with the market.”

Tests demonstrated 15% less emissions of soot-like particulates and 26% less nitrogen oxide so, the new fuel will be in line with strict International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulations.