A boatyard in the Norfolk Broads is thought to be the first in the country to adapt an environmentally friendly dual fuel propulsion system to boats and it is doing so with help from the Broads Authority's Sustainable Development Fund.
The system, which burns a mixture of LPG and bio-diesel, is currently used in vehicles in the USA and produces almost no hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions. Colin and Pam Facey, who own Woods Dyke Boatyard at Horning, have sourced special units from the States, which they will adapt for use in their hire cruisers, having trialled one successfully on one of their own vehicles.
They expect tests by Newcastle University early next year to demonstrate a 30% saving in fuel consumption, harmful emissions reduced to near zero, and decreased maintenance combined with increased engine performance and longevity.
"We hope we can cut costs and protect the boating industry as well as the environment,"
said Colin.
"Although bio-fuel is good for cutting down carbon emissions there has not been any indication of a reduction in harmful NOx emissions. We hope to eliminate these by adding LPG to the fuel mixture. The gas causes the diesel to burn hotter, completely reducing the carbon emissions. It's going to be so good for the environment if it works."
Colin is using refillable gas bottles with gauges which can be kept in boat lockers and has had a 2,200 litre gas tank installed at the boatyard which will be available for public use.
The Broads Authority is backing the innovative project by contributing £6,000 towards the £12,000 project from its Sustainable Development Fund.
Nigel Dark, SDF administrator, said the scheme was one of the SDF Panel's most interesting projects so far for technical innovation. "There are lots of dual fuel vehicles on the road at the moment but they run on either LPG or petrol/diesel, not both at the same time, and consequently gain none of the advantages of the new technology. This is the first known case of anyone trialling combined LPG/diesel propulsion in boats.
The pioneering boatyard is also trialling another method of propulsion. Colin Facey will soon be running a number of boats on 100% bio-diesel as part of the Broads Hire Boat Federation's 40 boat bio-diesel trial. He will also share the findings of his dual fuel trial with the Norfolk and Suffolk Boatbuilders Association's "Boats for a Sustainable Future" project. .Both projects are substantially funded by the Broads Authority's Sustainable Development Fund.
"We hope to have the best option up and running in the boatyard in 2007,"
Colin said. Colin is also experimenting with hydrogen fuel cells to charge batteries. . The fuel cells are energy conversion devices, which run on methanol and produce 5 amps of electricity an hour 24 hours a day according to the battery's needs. This innovative project is being supported with a £2,000 SDF grant.
Colin says:
"The fuel cell's energy conversion efficiency is claimed to be 30% higher than traditional engines and the emissions are less than a baby breathing. Their exceptional environmental performance and outstanding efficiencies provide a real alternative for a cleaner way of handling power. They are the ideal energy source, either as a back up for solar panels or on their own They would be an ideal replacement for generators which are smelly and noisy."
The benefits are that fuel cells are virtually silent, they are light, safe, clean and convenient, emissions are minimal, and they are economical, matching energy requirements automatically and shutting off when the batteries are fully recharged.
Woods Dyke Boatyard pioneered solar panels on all nine of its hire cruisers last season to keep batteries recharged - again with help from the Broads Authority's SDF fund. They have been voted a huge success, both by the yard and the 50 private customers who have bought them.
"They have saved us a fortune in time,"
said Colin.
"We haven't changed a battery all season. Everyone who buys them is thrilled with them. They give peace of mind, and are selling themselves."
Reproduced by kind permission of
Broads Authority.
