Quadrise Plc (LON:QED) recently announced final test results for potential low-carbon marine fuels. What follows is a report from Edison Group Andrew Keen MD – Head of Content, Energy & Resources, Industrials.
The tests demonstrated that bioMSAR blends containing Vertoro’s crude sugar oil (CSO) reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by over 30%, while increasing engine efficiency by up to 7% and significantly lowering emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) compared to diesel. Formulations incorporating biofuels containing waste-based methyl esters lowered CO2 emissions by up to 45%, increased engine efficiency by up to 7% and reduced NOx and CO emissions compared to diesel, providing a new pathway to bioMSAR Zero.
Quadrise has been collaborating with biorefinery specialist Vertoro since September 2022 to develop a cost-effective supplement or alternative to glycerine in its bioMSAR. The tests concluded in November and the blends used contained up to 40% of Vertoro’s CSO as a renewable replacement for glycerine. In comparison to conventional diesel, the test fuel reduced total CO2 emissions by over 30%, increased engine efficiency by 7–8% and reduced NOx and CO by roughly 30% and over 50%, respectively, while producing negligible visible smoke.
After these positive results, Quadrise has scheduled further testing of the 40% CSO bioMSAR and 40% glycerine-based bioMSAR on a larger medium-speed Wärtsilä engine at the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland in H124, in parallel with the testing of CSO in bioMSAR at levels over 40% at Quadrise’s research facility and at Aquafuel. Progress is also being made with the company’s joint development agreement with BTG Bioliquids on pyrolysis sugars derived from biomass and with alternative prospective partners that could supply C5 and C6 sugars on a commercial scale.
Quadrise tested blends of bioMSAR incorporated with B30, a marine biofuel of 30% methyl esters blended with fuel oil. In this first phase of testing, blends were made with up to 70% B30 and up to 40% glycerine. When comparing the B30 infused fuel to diesel, the results showed up to a total of 45% well-to-wake CO2 reductions (based on carbon intensity) and enhanced engine efficiency of 3–7%. There was also a corresponding reduction in fuel costs, a reduction in NOx emissions of 43–59% and CO savings of 58–76%, with negligible visible smoke. The successful B30 results provide a pathway to further reduce the fossil fuel content of Quadrise’s emulsion blends by using methyl esters. Next phases of testing will use higher concentrations of waste-based methyl esters and ultimately B100 combined with glycerine or biomass-derived sugars. Quadrise is aiming to demonstrate a commercial bioMSAR Zero product well ahead of its 2030 target.
