Local authority fleet operators are under ever increasing pressure to find ways of cutting their costs as well as their carbon footprint. To address this, Carbonsave Solutions has a range of Kinetic fuel-conditioning products, which can provide an improved MPG of 7-14% and a cut in emissions of up to 75%.

The Kinetic Kleen and Boost liquid products, for example, can be offered on a low cost, professionally monitored, trial basis over a four to six week period, and the company claims payback on investment can be achieved in a matter of weeks.

Field trials

Carbonsave is currently running field trials with several organisations, including two local authorities with refuse and street cleaning vehicles. Each vehicle will be initially dosed with Kinetic Kleen to fast-track the cleansing process before Kinetic Boost is applied; the amount determined by the diesel tank size. During the trial, the dosing will be done manually. However, once the whole fleet is using Kinetic Boost, it will be delivered by the automated dose and metering system direct into the stock holding tank.

The Kinetic products are also used in marine diesel with documented fuel savings between 9-24%. The product has proven itself in industrial boiler applications, providing a homogeneous catalysis for heavy fuel oil used in open flame boilers. One such, a YClotherm steam generator, showed a consistent 9.7% fuel saving.

In power generation engines, Kinetic Boost cleans the heat transfer plates and reduces fuel consumption and particle emissions. One large international retailer, who uses 2.5M litres a month, has saved 9% on fuel costs.

Chris Slater, Carbonsave’s director of testing & implementation, explains how the product works. “If you look at the action of a petrol, diesel, bio-fuel internal combustion engine, the four cycles involved are the intake cycle, the compression cycle, the power cycle and the exhaust cycle.

“What actually happens in an internal combustion engine without Kinetic Boost is that the power cycle does not complete within the combustion chamber, causing carbon build-up, increased fuel consumption and harmful emissions. In fact, if you look closely, you’ll see fire coming out of the exhaust system during the exhaust cycle.

“Now, once the Kinetic Boost liquid is placed into the fuel, it disperses and becomes a catalyst in the fuel itself. Once in the combustion chamber, it cleans the carbon build-up and accelerates the combustion. This creates a cleaner exhaust, reduced exhaust emissions, and a reduction in exhaust temperature which increases the efficiency of the engine, lowering fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.”

Scientific testing

Kinetic Boost has been scientifically tested under stringent laboratory conditions and is 100% organic. The company says it brought the product to the UK at the end of 2009 and spent the first six months of this year conducting field trials before launching Kinetic Kleen and Kinetic Boost at FutureSource 2010 in June.

Carbonsave says its ultimate aims are to increase fuel combustion efficiency, reduce fuel costs and exhaust emissions, extend payback life of capital equipment, enable compliance with emission regulations and subsequent trading of carbon credits.

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe