Reducing CO2 emissions by more than 50 per cent realised for the first time in the world

The world’s environmental concerns are overwhelming. While fossil fuels are foreseen to dry up in about 50 years, the very dependence on this energy source is increasing the levels of greenhouse gases.

Eneco, however, is changing all these. The water and fuel technology specialist has discovered a way to dilute fossil fuels such as light oil, kerosene, heavy oil and biodiesel fuel with water and still deliver the same energy output as the original fuel.

Technically, the water addition rate has reached 87.5 per cent, but it is at 50 per cent on the actual product application level at the moment.

The first of its kind in the world, the Eneco Plasma Fusion Fuel has been approved by Japan’s rigorous environmental standards and is already in practical use in buses, trucks and industrial equipment.

The technology’s reputation has also reached overseas. In Indonesia, for instance, the navy and one major oil company, are already using the breakthrough emulsion fuel. Besides its cost-effectiveness, the Eneco Plasma Fusion Fuel also cuts carbon emissions by more than 50 per cent.

“For the future of our planet, each one of us must think carefully about what we can do to combat global warming and take resolute action,” says Yasuhiro Yamamoto, president and CEO of Eneco. “By switching away from fossil fuels and into the creation of environmentally friendly energy, we seek to dramatically decrease the emission of environmentally active exhaust gases.”

As a testament to this commitment, the company has also developed the Eneco Plasma R Hydrogen Gas from ordinary tap and well water. Created through low energy and low temperature reaction employing a waste catalyst developed by the company in-house, Eneco Gas is comparable to liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and shale gas. The innovation is 50 per cent cheaper to produce compared to conventional gas products, and reduces the emission of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulphur oxide (SOx), by as much as 50 per cent.

With a research laboratory at the foot of Mount Fuji and headquarters in Tokyo, Eneco Holdings has two core competencies spanning fuel and gas – all committed to the environment and giving back to society. The Eneco Plasma Fusion Fuel and Eneco Gas represent the company’s venture into the fuel, gas and power generation verticals.

Eneco Plasma Fusion Fuel

Emulsion, or watered-down fuel, got attention about 20 years ago, but it was not practical and disappeared with many issues. Earlier mixtures of water and fuel had at least three problems leading to them being impractical for use. Firstly, water and fuel oil ended up separating after only a short period. Secondly, adding water reduced the fuel’s potency and, lastly, the resulting viscosity of the mixture caused the machines to break down.

Eneco has successfully solved these challenges with plasma fusion technology. The company achieved complete mixture of water and oil by ultra-purifying the components at the molecular level, thus preventing them from separating eventually.

In the past, the mixing ratio was limited to only 20 per cent water due to the specific gravity of the components. By applying nano-emulsion technology, a ratio with as much as 50 per cent water component can now be used with any type of fuel oil.

Moreover, the mixture does not damage equipment and vehicles and does not require modifications on the host engine or machine.

Excellent numerical values were recorded as well in combustion and environmental tests. While the calorific or energy value of pure heavy oil was recorded at 45.1 joules per gram, the same fuel oil with 50 per cent water component registered an almost similar energy value of 44.8 joules per gram.

As the company has been successful in creating a mixture of Eneco Plasma Fusion Fuel with a water content of as much as 50 per cent without losing the potency of the original fuel, the invention can significantly multiply fuel oil supply without much added cost.

The most important aspect of the discovery is its positive impact on the environment. The company conducted tests on its boiler that runs on Eneco Plasma Fusion Fuel. Company scientists were surprised to discover a radical drop in emissions compared to one that uses pure heavy oil. CO₂ slipped by 44 per cent, while SOx dipped by 65 and NOx by 17 per cent.

Such tests were confirmed by the third-party measurement institution Kankyo Mirai. In addition, Eneco requested Shin Nihon Kentei Kyokai, an inspection agency that certifies refined fuel in the country, to analyse the components of the emulsion fuel. It has been confirmed that it is equivalent to the base oil according to the analysis result.

As Eneco Plasma Fusion Fuel already passed the diesel oil standard requirement under Japan’s tax law, vehicles running on such fuel can now run on public roads. The tax itself is the same as that imposed on 100 per cent diesel at 32.1 Japanese yen per litre. Consumers, however, still realise significant savings as the fuel cost is cut in half as 50 per cent of the plasma fuel mixture is plain water in this case. End users can just imagine the cost savings and reduction in emissions with water component at 50 per cent.

The company is offering the Eneco Plasma Fusion H EPF-H500 equipment, which can perform complete fusion between water and all fuel types such as heavy and light oil, kerosene and biodiesel. Measuring 10.5m wide, 4.9m deep and 4m high, the machine is 100 per cent made in Japan and can manufacture 500 litres of refined Eneco Plasma Fusion Fuel per hour continuously all year round. It is designed for use in industries, boilers, generators and ships, and does not require facility or plant modification. The equipment comes with a product liability insurance in case of engine or machine failure arising from the use of the plasma fuel it produces.

The emulsion fuel has already gained popularity in Japan. Buses in Yamanashi prefecture are, for the first time, running on the Eneco Plasma Fusion Fuel. The innovation is also powering work trucks and heavy machinery in the city of Fujiyoshida. Eneco is working closely with the city to realise other practical applications of the fuel.

“Our fuel refining technology is attracting attention from all around the world,” Yamamoto says. “Offers are flooding in, especially from countries with high levels of dependency on imported crude oil.”

The company has introduced the Eneco Plasma Fusion H EPF-H500 to a major textile company in Bangladesh, and has sold to clients coming from public and private sectors in Indonesia. Eneco has signed commitments in other countries, which include mainland China, South Korea, Thailand and Malaysia. Other markets expected to sign up in the near future include Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines and the United States.

Eneco Plasma R Hydrogen Gas

Another Eneco invention that is gaining a strong following in Japan and elsewhere around the world is the Eneco Plasma R Hydrogen Gas. Eneco Gas is produced by running electricity through ordinary tap or well water and by using a catalyst developed in-house from waste products. While conventional water electrolysis uses electricity to decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen, Eneco efficiently generates oxyhydrogen gas and HHO gas at low energy without using electricity.

By using its own oxygen component during combustion in a process called implosion, an Eneco Gas flame has an exceptionally high energy concentration compared to ordinary gas fuel. While an ordinary acetylene torch can only turn a nickel coin red, an Eneco Gas flame can make a hole through the same coin in five seconds. An Eneco Gas flame can melt a tungsten metal in 15 seconds, before making it evaporate soon after. This is impossible to achieve using ordinary gas fuel because tungsten melts at 3,422 degrees Celsius and evaporates at more than 5,000 to 6,000 degrees. Although it is such a highly concentrated energy, Eneco Gas can be safely used and does not emit carbon dioxide.

To manufacture Eneco Gas, the company is offering the Eneco Plasma R Hydrogen Gas apparatus. Measuring 3.5 metres wide, 1.7 metres deep and 2 metres high, the equipment can produce 2.4 tonnes of Eneco Gas daily, all year long. Customers can readily use the machine without the need to modify their facilities or equipment. Designed for a wide range of applications such as industrial burners, boilers, generators and ships, the machines are set to be introduced to major companies in Bangladesh and China.

Future developments

Eneco has rekindled mankind’s struggle against global warming and environmental degradation. Continuing research focuses on taking the plasma fusion technology to a whole new level by using only water and some additives. The company also wants to maximise its environmental impact by using Eneco Plasma Fusion Fuel and Eneco Gas in power generation.

In the future, the company envisions supplying such electricity wirelessly using radio waves and global positioning system. To support its future endeavours, Eneco will collaborate with a corporate finance specialist, and plans to list in Singapore.

“With our core competencies in clean energy, we aim to bring the future to the world,” Yamamoto says. “It is our mission to leave a clean and healthy planet to the next generation.”

www.eneco-hd.co.jp