UK-headed Quadrise plc (previously known as Quadrise Fuels International plc), a supplier of innovative energy solutions for a cleaner planet, has announced that it has completed a successful first phase of engine testing confirming material improvements in efficiency and emissions reductions with its "bioMSAR" fuel.
According to a statement, the trials follow the Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Vertoro announced in September 2022.
Quadrise has successfully produced stable blends of bioMSAR containing up to 40 percent of Vertoro’s crude sugar oil (CSO) at a pilot scale at the Quadrise research facility.
The fuel was subsequently tested by partners, Aquafuel, on Quadrise’s Cummins diesel engine using bioMSAR containing 18-20 percent CSO.
According to Quadrise, testing of CSO bioMSAR when compared with conventional diesel confirmed the following:
- Engine efficiency improvements of 7 percent resulted in reduced fuel consumption and lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, in line with conventional bioMSAR results.
- A reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions of up to 16 percent and a reduction in carbon monoxide (CO) emissions of over 50 percent, again consistent with conventional bioMSAR.
- Negligible visible smoke when running CSO bioMSAR and bioMSAR when compared with diesel.
A further phase of testing is now planned at Aquafuel on bioMSAR containing up to 40 percent CSO material.
Quadrise aims to offer ship owners and power producers practical, low-cost decarbonisation alternatives that require minimal modifications and make use of existing fuel supply logistics and infrastructure. Quadrise is delighted with the test results to date that combine Vertoro’s crude sugar oil with bioMSAR fuel. CSO products are potentially the most price-competitive net-zero biofuel solutions for the marine sector. This offers another compelling solution for the marine sector as it looks to accelerate decarbonisation and emissions reduction economically and safely. It also advances our programme to supply net-zero bioMSAR by 2030 by combining a wide range of sustainable biofuels that are soluble in oil or water, commented Jason Miles, CEO of Quadrise.
Subsequent testing is also being scheduled on a larger medium-speed diesel engine later in the year.
These results and scheduled tests are expected to accelerate the larger-scale trials and the potential use of lower-cost CSO bioMSAR for the marine and power generation sectors.
We’re excited by the progress to date to accelerate the use, within the bioMSAR formulation, of our crude sugar oil, which can be produced from sustainably sourced forestry and agricultural residues, as well as end-of-life paper and textile (cotton) fibres. Using sugars in engines directly, instead of fermenting them first to ethanol, opens up a completely new and competitive decarbonization pathway for hard-to-abate sectors such as shipping. The increased engine efficiency and more favorable low emissions profile observed in recent engine tests further underline the potential of this innovative fuel. We look forward to continuing our already fruitful collaboration with our partners at Quadrise, said Michael Boot, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Vertoro.
