NZ Water Fuel Car Demonstrates World First

As part of the Greenfleet Class of the Panasonic World Solar Challenge 2007 New Zealand company Bios Fuel Corporation has demonstrated what many believe to be the impossible - running a virtually unmodified diesel engine on their H2W+ fuel blend comprising of 40% Water and 60% Waste Mineral oil for 3000 kilometres across the Australian Desert.

The fuel is designed for power generation, and one of several blends Bios Fuel has certified to American ASTM standards. While it is not designed for vehicles it ran well in an old 1989 Toyota Landcruiser Troop Carrier, or Troupy as the call them affectionately in the outback. “We thought testing in a harsh environment such as the Australian desert would demonstrate the viability of our fuel beyond doubt, and show that 2nd and 3rd generation waste can be combined with water to provide an energy source, says Bios Fuel founder and CEO Steve Ryan. “Using an old Troupy shows that you don’t necessarily have to compromise lifestyle to reduce your effect on the environment”.

The results of emissions testing en route back this up with race organisers calculating a massive 90% reduction in the old 4wd’s emissions factor when it is switched to Bios Fuels H2W+ blend. This included a reduction of Nitrous Oxides or NOX, one of the worst greenhouse gases, of more than 80%. Careful monitoring of fuel consumption showed that the heavily loaded vehicle used 17.77 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres and approximately the same amount for the Bios Fuel blend. This matched results from Bios Fuels Dynamometer testing facility in Wellington New Zealand which showed a similar engine running the H2W+ blend was 10% more efficient than with diesel.

By comparison a brand new Landcruiser consumes an average 11.9 litres of diesel per 100km’s, “She’s not the most efficient vehicle and we had some issues resulting from choosing to blend and filter the fuel on location in Darwin with a very basic setup, but on the whole it ran really well” said Mr Ryan, “ Both the reduction in emissions, particularly NOX, and the relative fuel consumption shows conclusively we are releasing the energy from water on demand”, “we’ve run up to 90% water in diesel engines back home but in this environment and our first public display we thought we’d be a little conservative”.

Also whilst completing the 2007 World Solar Challenge, the Bios Fuel team raised enough funds for ChildFund NZ to install Safe Water Facilities in 3 schools in India. Safe drinking water is a major problem in developing countries such as India. The safe drinking water facility for the schools will contribute to minimising water borne diseases caused from drinking and using dirty water. Water borne diseases cause 1 out of every 4 deaths in children around the world, that’s 5,000 deaths a day.

Breaking Scientific tradition is not unfamiliar to Steve Ryan and Bios Fuel. In 2005 60 minutes featured him running a standard 350cc motorbike on 100% water using a process to entrain Hydrogen within the water, without the use of power. Similarly the process for emulsifying Waste Oils with water requires very little power and no heat, making production extremely economical.

The future looks bright for Bios Fuel with two plants in the US set to produce large quantities of waste recycled fuels before the end of the year, joint ventures in New Zealand, Turkey and Chile and further developments planned with the H2O+ hydrogen enriched water in the pipeline.

And what about the sceptics? “they’re entitled to their opinion” Mr Ryan says, “but the fact is it’s happening”

Ends