UK Rail Firm Utilizes Onboard Hydrogen Production for Cleaner and More Efficient Trains
Key Ideas
- Harry Needle Railway Company is implementing an Engine Carbon Clean system to produce hydrogen onboard trains for engine efficiency and cleanliness.
- The hydrogen injection process aims to reduce carbon residue and improve the engine's efficiency, leading to a decrease in CO2 emissions by 8%, carbon monoxide by 27%, and formaldehyde by 39%.
- The project showcases innovations like catalytic converters, fuel preheaters, and vegetable oil-based diesel to enhance sustainability and extend the life of existing diesel trains.
- Despite challenges faced by hydrogen-powered rail projects in Europe, the initiative by HNRC demonstrates a viable approach to cost-effective emissions reduction in the rail industry.
The Harry Needle Railway Company (HNRC) in the UK is pioneering the use of an Engine Carbon Clean system from Advanced Hydrogen Technologies to produce hydrogen onboard trains. This innovative system splits water into hydrogen using auxiliary power, which is then injected back into the train's engine. The hydrogen injection process aims to clean up the locomotive by removing carbon residue and enhance efficiency. HNRC claims that this technology can lead to significant reductions in CO2 emissions, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. Additionally, the company is exploring other sustainable practices such as catalytic converters, fuel preheaters, and vegetable oil-based diesel to further improve the environmental impact of diesel trains. This project is seen as a cost-effective alternative to replacing older diesel trains with electric ones. Despite challenges faced by hydrogen-powered rail projects in Europe, HNRC's initiative is a positive step towards making emissions reduction more sustainable and financially viable in the rail industry.