Title:
Biomethane Fuelled Tractor - Operation Experiences and Emission Behaviour
Author(s):
Thuneke, K., Mautner, S., Emberger, P., Remmele, E.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
The use of biomethane as fuel for agricultural machinery with dual-fuel technology contributes to climate protection and ensures safe fuel supply. So far, hardly any newer operational experiences are known. The aim of the project, funded by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Media, Energy and Technology, was to investigate practicability for daily use and emission behaviour of a Valtra N101 prototype tractor (exhaust stage IIIA). The retro-fitted dual-fuel technology allows simultaneously use of biomethane or natural gas and diesel as ignition fuel. During the field test over 590 operating hours, the tractor showed overall high reliability. On average, the operating range in dual-fuel mode with one complete filling of the gas tanks was about 11.5 hours. On the tractor test stand a significant improvement of the exhaust emissions could be observed, when the gas ECU had been changed by the manufacturer. For dual-fuel operation, nitrogen oxides (NOx) are lower, whereas carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and particulate matter emissions (PM) are higher compared to solely diesel operation. In particular, HC emissions exceed the proposed limiting value, submitted by the European Commission. This is due to incomplete methane combustion and insufficient conversion by the exhaust after-treatment-system. A big potential for optimisation is expected by adjusting the operating point-specific gas-diesel ratio and improving exhaust gas after-treatment.
Keywords:
biofuels, emissions, engine, methane, operation and maintenance, agricultue
Topic:
Biomass Policies, Markets and Sustainability
Subtopic:
Environmental impacts of bioenergy
Event:
24th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
4AV.2.25
Pages:
1520 - 1524
ISBN:
978-88-89407-165
Paper DOI:
10.5071/24thEUBCE2016-4AV.2.25
Price:
FREE
