Coleg Glynllifon farm tractor fitted with a Hydrogen Electrolyser aims to cut emissions by 80%
Coleg Glynllifon are trialling a new and innovative method of reducing carbon emissions and fuel consumption of one of their farm tractors with the help of Farming Connect. South Yorkshire based start-up, Water Fuel systems have developed a low-cost method of reducing farm machinery exhaust emissions by up to 80% and claim fuel consumption is reduced by 20%.
The small hydrogen converter box contains a reservoir of distilled water and an electrolyser which splits the water into hydrogen and oxygen by passing an electrical current through the tank.
The resulting oxyhydrogen is injected into the conventional diesel engine at a rate of approximately 6%. The manufacturers also claim there is a ‘better burn’ of fuel, which leads to a cleaner engine, meaning that diesel particulate filters need to be replaced less frequently.
Coleg Glynllifon, Agricultural engineering students saw first-hand how this new technology was retrofitted on to older existing tractors and will be monitoring fuel use and emissions as the John Deere undertakes farm work over the winter months.
In a bid to further boost green credentials the team at Coleg Glynllifon have sourced distilled water from nearby Halen Mon, which is a co-product from sea salt production.
Gareth Williams, engineering lecturer at Coleg Glynllifon explained “It is fantastic to be able to trial this new piece of equipment in collaboration with Farming Connect to show the next generation of farmers and contractors that low carbon farming methods is possible with existing and affordable farm machinery”.
On a recent visit to the Glynllifon campus, Lesley Griffiths Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd was provided with a demonstration as to how the process works in practice. The Minister said: “It is fantastic to see examples of Agri innovation such as this being developed in such a positive collaboration. Given the importance of playing our part in tackling the climate emergency it is great to see practical solutions that are achievable being trialled here in North Wales’.
