IRTE News

Millbrook proving ground shows 3% savings from fuel catalyst

1st Mar 2010

Independent tests on a so-called fuel catalyst, at the Millbrook proving ground late last year, appear to demonstrate a cast iron average 3% saving in fuel and carbon emissions for trucks.

The Fitch fuel catalyst (FFC) has its origins in the US around a decade ago, and is now being distributed by Fuel Harmonics in the UK. Although the FFC has enjoyed occasional glowing reports – including one from City of York Council – this is the first independent verification in the UK.

Fuel Harmonics persuaded John Lewis to provide Millbrook with a 2004 DAF 85, with 1,014,886km on the clock and, according to its report dated 4 December 2009, and seen exclusively by Transport Engineer, the improvements are real.

Millbrook ran the tests in its variable temperature emission chamber, putting the DAF through the FIGE cycle, first without and then with the FFC, and monitoring legislated bag emissions as well as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, NOx and CO2 at the tailpipe.

At first, Millbrook noted no significant fuel changes, so the vehicle returned to service for 4,000 miles with John Lewis, before being returned for further tests.

Using the same driver and the same batch of fuel, Millbrook now found that both CO2 and fuel consumption had reduced by an average of 3% (5.3% urban, 4% suburban, 1.8% motorway).

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