Decarbonisation Technology - November 2021

compared to HFO, which typically has to be heated to much higher temperatures (60-100°C) to be stored and pumped freely due to its high viscosity. OIW emulsion fuels require a small amount of proprietary additives to keep the resultant fuel extremely stable. This pre- atomisation increases the surface area of the oil droplets, enabling complete combustion of the fuel with next to no black carbon

fuel. The system was operational within nine months of signing agreements, proving that Quadrise has the expertise to rapidly install and manufacture emulsion fuels at commercial scale. Quadrise’s new biofuel, bioMSAR, utilises the same technology and commercial emulsion fuel experience, and takes the environmental benefit of this HFO alternative fuel one step further.

10% Water (inc. <1% additives)

40-50% Glycerine

40-50% Residuals

Figure 2 bioMSAR composition

What is bioMSAR? bioMSAR is an oil-in-water (OIW) emulsified synthetic biofuel comprising of heavy

formation. The maritime industry is one of the largest sources of black carbon emissions, and MSAR or bioMSAR could be key to reducing this. Finally, bioMSAR can be fine-tuned to a client’s carbon reduction targets (40% glycerine yields 26% lower CO 2 emissions). The proportion of glycerine within the fuel can be altered to meet CO 2 reduction targets at the optimum fuel cost. Development at QRF At the Quadrise Research Facility (QRF) in Essex, development of the new bioMSAR fuel has been extensive. Over 150 unique emulsions have been produced and tested to determine the ideal combination of fuel stability, effective combustion characteristics and emissions reduction. Following a successful in-house stability and handling testing programme, the next stage of bioMSAR development required demonstration in diesel engines. bioMSAR engine testing Quadrise’s engine technology partners, Aquafuel and VTT, are experts in the combustion of glycerine in diesel generators. Results of bioMSAR testing at Aquafuel’s research facility have confirmed its viability as a high-performance alternative fuel in diesel generators. Testing has demonstrated increased engine efficiency using bioMSAR compared to diesel in a Cummins 4-stroke engine. NOx emissions are reduced by 20-25% as the water content of the fuel reduces its combustion temperature. Due to the pre-atomisation of the emulsion fuel, black carbon emissions were essentially zero. Further testing of bioMSAR was conducted by VTT in Finland using a 1.6 MWWärtsilä

oils and residuals, glycerine (see Fact Box below), water and a small

amount of chemical additives. It offers significant benefits over conventional HFO, including reduced emissions of CO 2 , NOx, SOx, lower particulates (including negligible black carbon), increased engine efficiency and reduced environmental risk in the unlikely event of an oil spill as it readily disperses in water. Compared with LNG, it provides superior well-to- wake CO 2 savings (due to the renewable glycerine component) whilst requiring little to no additional operational changes to burn efficiently within a HFO engine system. Importantly, there is also no risk of methane slip with bioMSAR. bioMSAR is handled and stored at ambient temperatures (circa 20-30°C). This reduces the energy consumption required to store the fuel What is glycerine? Glycerine is a bio-degradable, non-toxic liquid that is a renewable by-product of the biodiesel industry. Every 10 barrels of biodiesel yields a barrel of crude glycerine. Following treatment to a fuel grade, it burns almost pollutant free, is virtually CO 2 neutral and has excellent lubricity. With the strong movement towards sustainable fuels in the market, glycerine can make a substantial impact and has already been utilised in diesel engine generators to supply Formula-E racing and VW’s record-breaking ID R electric car.