Press Releases

GREEN FUELS' BIODIESEL POWERS ROYAL TRAIN
'Europes First 100% Biodiesel Powered Train'

The Royal Train today (15th September 2007) completed its first ever journey run on 100 per cent biodiesel fuel supplied by Green Fuels Ltd.

His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales was the first passenger in Britain to travel on a train fuelled entirely by biodiesel fuel. The overnight journey from Birmingham to Scarborough reduced the train’s tailpipe CO2 emissions by 19 per cent. Green Fuels’ biodiesel powered the train for the duration of the Scarborough trial during which it covered over 900 miles.

The Royal Household is continuing to work to lower the amount of carbon emitted from transportation to Royal engagements. Positive results from the train trial will help consideration of the Royal Train being permanently 100 per cent biodiesel powered. It will also allow EWS to consider operating its freight trains using the same fuel, subject to acceptable levels of bio-fuel duty.

EWS, the Royal Train operator and Britain’s largest rail freight, carried out a variety of technical tests on the locomotive type (known as class 67) that hauls the Royal Train. On 6th August they ran the first train powered 100 per cent by Green Fuels’ bio-diesel from Crewe in Cheshire to Toton in Nottingham. No engine modifications were required and none is expected to be needed for full-scale operation.

Green Fuels managing director, James Hygate, was invited to travel as a guest on the Royal train for this historic event. “It was very exciting for us to be part of this head-lining trial. The general consensus was that B100 would not work in Common Rail diesel engines without modification, we have proven that by exceeding European Standards it can, even at 3,300 bhp!”

For more information see the BBC website here and the EWS news item here.

James with HRH

Image supplied by Philip Haigh/RAIL magazine

Green Fuels Ltd. has announced the launch of the FuelPod2, a compact biodiesel processor for the domestic market.

Capable of producing up to 50 litres of biodiesel every day from waste cooking oil, the FuelPod2 directly targets a growing market for home-production believed to be worth £5m per year (NB: forward projections for this to be worth 12.5m in 2008).

With its small 60cm diameter and standing just 140cm high, the compact FuelPod2 takes up the minimum space at the back of a garage – a major advantage to domestic users. It’s also incredibly easy and safe to use: -

- the 50 litre batch size was deliberately chose to minimise the quantity of methanol used (10 litres per batch)

- external, thermostatically-controlled band heaters are used to pre-heat the oil. As well as making it extremely difficult to overheat the input oil, it also ensures that heating takes place before the addition of chemicals.

- the risk of having a flammable liquid in the reaction tank is minimised thanks to the use of venturi pipes to add the methanol and methylate from a separate tank. This arrangement also minimises methanol vapours present within the reaction vessel.

- Green Fuels recommends the use of liquid methylates rather than dry caustic soda, to avoid exothermic reaction. The fuel quality is also improved, as there is no chance of un-dissolved caustic getting into the reaction. Ion exchange resin is used to purify the fuel in a contained system using very small quantities of consumables.

- the system is operated by air controls and an ATEX approved air pump, thus adding to safety by avoiding sparks and preventing disconnection of a pipe.

All customers receive a comprehensive operating manual and can telephone a dedicated helpline for advice. The company is also working on an education programme to promote the use of safe biodiesel systems in the home.

Green Fuels designs and manufactures a range of processing equipment across the whole market spectrum - from small fuel producers, through medium size companies and to large wholesale businesses. There are currently more than 600 Green Fuels processors in the UK and Ireland, with a growing number in the rest of the world, producing over 170 million litres of fuel every year.

Market analysts Frost and Sullivan predict biodiesel to be one of the fastest-growing areas in the chemical industry and in the green energy sector, with forecast growth year-on-year of 14 per cent to 2013. Last year Europe consumed 3.89 million tonnes of biodiesel, generating revenues of €2.93 billion. By 2013 the total EU biodiesel market is forecast to be 9.75 million tones.

Green Fuels’ founders Colin Hygate and James Hygate will be keynote speakers during the Royal Society of Chemistry’s 2007 Chemistry Week, which this year focuses on Fuelling the Future.

The week sees a national tour of public events from Glasgow and York, to Oxford and Swansea from 3-11 November. Open to the public, events will be held in a mixture of science and non-science locations including Burnley Football Club and Bristol International Airport, the latter where managing director James Hygate will address the issue of biofuels and aviation.

Green Fuels will be demonstrating a Lotus Elise running on bioethanol and a biodiesel-powered Range Rover at eight locations across the country to coincide with the launch of the company’s new FuelPod2 biodiesel processor for domestic use.

Held every two years, Chemistry Week aims to promote a positive image of chemistry and increased public understanding of the importance of chemical science in our everyday lives. This year’s events highlight the role chemistry can play in furthering advancements in alternative fuels and technologies. As Europe's largest biodiesel equipment reseller, Green Fuels can contribute wide experience to the sessions.

“The reduction of carbon emissions is a topic of great concern to individuals, private businesses and public organisations,’ commented James Hygate, “and Green Fuels’ involvement enables us to highlight our range of innovative product solutions for all sectors of the market.”

James Hygate with his biodiesel powered Range Rover and bioethanol powered Lotus