Recycled plastic fuel in marine engine study

Plaxx, a low-sulphur fuel made from plastic otherwise destined for landfill, is being considered as a substitute for heavy fuel oil (HFO). Ricardo’s Atlas II research engine will be used to evaluate the performance of fuels in large, multi-cylinder engine designs ranging from 150-200 mm bore and power output of 0.5-5.0MW, in a single power cylinder.

Initially the properties of Plaxx as a combustion engine fuel will be reviewed to develop a test plan can be developed. Back-to-back testing of Plaxx against diesel and HFO will then be carried out across a range of loads using the Atlas II engine. Combustion characterisation will also be trialled based on the measured in-cylinder pressure, power, specific fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

Adrian Griffiths, CEO, Recycling Technologies, said: “The marine industry is a key market as the use of high sulphur oil is increasingly being restricted. Working together with Ricardo on this project, we are now taking steps to get Plaxx fit for use in medium and large marine engines. Through this pilot project, we hope to qualify Plaxx as meeting the new global MARPOL requirements.”

Adam Read, practice director for resource efficiency & waste management at Ricardo Energy & Environment, added: “The ability to generate fuels and recover plastics is key to the sustainable management of the world’s resources. As such, assessing the viability of the process during the pilot phase is an exciting and potentially ground-breaking step for Ricardo and Recycling Technologies.”