Motivation: In the context of the growing interest in climate change, it is increasingly necessary to find effective ways to reduce the environmental impact of industries. In addition to fulfilling an ethical role, reducing emissions can be beneficial for a company, as it improves its social image, can be used as a marketing strategy and allows it to be prepared for impending emissions taxes. It is important to mention that although other companies have invested millions of dollars in reducing emissions from CAEX trucks, the results have not been promising. Examples are the battery-powered CAEX prototype, which proved expensive, inefficient and unsuccessful, and the hydrogen fuel-cell CAEX, which, although functional, is economically unviable due to its cost of approximately twice that of a conventional one. This is evidence of international interest and a willingness to invest in solutions, creating an open niche that we will be able to fill in-house.

General Objective: To modify heavy duty engines incorporating green ammonia to reduce their environmental impact without harming their performance. Develop and optimise a prototype Dual-Fuel Diesel-Ammonia Retrofit Kit with smoke aftertreatment for heavy duty diesel engines.

Particular Objective: To use green ammonia to reduce the main pollutant emissions from diesel engines, which are currently carbon dioxide and NOx.

Ammonia will be used in two ways: as a renewable fuel free of CO2 emissions, and as a reducing agent that removes NOx emissions from exhaust gases. Its use as a fuel will be realised with a dual-fuel system that will replace part of the diesel with green ammonia, reducing CO2 emissions and fossil fuel use potentially by up to 80%.

Proposed System: The proposed system consists of three main parts:

1. ammonia storage: implementation of adequate and safe storage tanks.

2. Injection of ammonia as fuel: Efficient injection system, allowing a mixture of ammonia with diesel. These are relatively minor modifications to the engine and are non-invasive, unlike other injection systems.

3. Smoke aftertreatment system: SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology to reduce NOx by injecting ammonia from the tank into the reactor for use as a reducing agent.

Flexibility of the Dual-Fuel System: The Dual-Fuel system allows flexibility in the sense that, if ammonia is not available, diesel can still be used or the proportion of ammonia can be adjusted as desired (from 0% to approximately 80%). Unlike the battery prototype, which requires electricity, or the Fuel Cell prototype, which can only use hydrogen, our system allows for a more gradual and economical transition, taking advantage of existing diesel engines without the need for a complete retrofit.

Risks and Mitigations: Although ammonia is a toxic gas, its handling is well known and regulated in the industry, and it has a low risk of explosion. The project will include all necessary safety measures to minimise risks.

Expected Results:

– Emission Reduction: Reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80% and reduction of NOx pollutant gases by over 90%.

– Regulatory Compliance: Preparation to comply with future emissions regulations to be implemented in Chile, advancing to a better tier in the emissions categories.

Conclusion:

This project represents an innovative opportunity for Power Train Technologies.

Leading the transition to cleaner technologies in mining, taking advantage of international interest and willingness to invest in alternative solutions that have so far not been successful.

With a focus on sustainability and efficiency, we can position ourselves as a leader in reducing emissions in the mining sector. The use of green ammonia as a fuel will not only significantly reduce CO2 emissions, but also take advantage of Chile’s surplus production of green ammonia, aligning with sustainability goals and the country’s comparative advantages in clean energy production.