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Technological breakthrough on Dual Fuel Hydrogen Mobility - 18 December 2023
In February 2023, DFL contracted Helical Technology, an engine and vehicle testing specialist, to conduct trials on a heavy-duty vehicle engine using DFL's innovative and proprietary dual-fuel technology, developed in collaboration with DFL's contractor G-Volution Limited. The purpose of these trials was to identify the optimal conditions for introducing hydrogen into a diesel-powered engine.
The testing protocol entails a thorough evaluation of the engine and test cells followed by running of the engine using diesel alone and then progressively introducing hydrogen until the fuel entering the engine becomes disproportionate to its power output.
The results of these initial trials confirm that approximately 20% of hydrogen can be safely introduced into a heavy-duty diesel vehicle engine resulting in a proportionate reduction in the amount of emissions. The results also indicate that DFL's solution will significantly extend the range of heavy-goods vehicles.
DFL will now undertake a further test of its technological solution in a live rolling-road environment in Q1 2024 which is intended to complete the calibration of the software behind the system.
Upon successful completion of the rolling-road tests DFL expects to deliver its first retrofit solutions to customers in its lead country Paraguay in Q3 2024 with first customers already identified and the Government having a supportive and defined hydrogen mobility plan. DFL's offering will be supported by the supply of 100% green hydrogen generated by G-Mobility its sister company within Green House.
Paraguay is an economically and politically stable landlocked country with no active railway network which relies on a fleet of approximately 75,000 long range heavy diesel trucks and 3,000 barges for its infrastructure logistics. MEN, through the network created by its current and historic operations in Paraguay as well as its sister company Atome Energy, is particularly well positioned to penetrate this market.
DFL's cost-effective retrofit technology is positioned to provide fleet operators with an affordable and transitional decarbonisation solution which will expand the range of their vehicles without the need for an extensive hydrogen refueling network the latter being a material and expensive negative factor in other hydrogen mobility solutions.
The results of this initial trial demonstrate that the DFL technology is capable of substantial displacement of diesel within a heavy goods engine which will ultimately lead to a compelling commercial opportunity for its customers with the offering intended to roll out worldwide after using Paraguay as a lead country.
Test Cell Engine Calibration Update - 16th August 2023
Progress on the engineering of the conversion of diesel engines to run on a mixture of diesel and hydrogen continues. It has been decided that proof of concept work on a complete diesel engine will take place in the UK starting within the next month with the test engine now placed in the test cell with installation of the gas detection system and hydrogen pipework completed. The test cell is located within the engine test building at Helical Technical Centre, Warton, Lancashire, which is also used by automotive companies such as Bentley, McClaren and Cummins.
It is intended that after the primary test cell work, testing will take place with a vehicle on a rolling road. This complete vehicle test will allow a 360-degree examination of behaviour of the engineering in a road going vehicle so that the benefits of Dual Fuel engineering can be clearly demonstrated on a full working model, and technical data obtained for future use, before commencement of Dual Fuel commercial retrofitting of trucks in Paraguay, still targeted for the New Year.
The rolling road test will also act as a showcase vehicle for the European market to provide a transitional and economically justifiable solution in progressive decarbonisation of road transport when the cost and availability of dedicated hydrogen combustion fuel or hydrogen fuel cell trucks remains very high, combined with the lack of hydrogen refuelling/re-charging networks. The retrofit will enable not only the vehicle to run on a mix of hydrogen and diesel but also diesel alone. As the hydrogen fuel tank is an addition, hydrogen will extend the existing diesel range of the vehicle.
