Ceram, the international materials technology company, was chosen by Cenex to analyse the fuel integrity of Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) biomethane vehicle trial. Driven by a desire to produce a step change reduction in fleet carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, CCE contracted Cenex to evaluate and compare the emissions, fuel consumption, economics, reliability and operability of a 26 t Iveco Stralis gas vehicle with that of a diesel Stralis vehicle. The trial vehicles – one operating solely on biomethane gas, and one diesel powered – were highly comparable. Both were new registrations at trial commencement and met Enhanced Environmentally friendly Vehicle emission standards.
The vehicles’ performance was evaluated through a collaborative assessment project, which included Cenex, the UK’s centre of excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies, Iveco, the truck manufacturer and Gasrec, the fuel supplier.
Ceram has extensive experience in evaluating biogas for use as biomethane, and was therefore chosen to analyse the quality of the fuel and integrity of the gas supply chain. The analysis confirmed a high methane content and low levels of contamination throughout the fuel supply chain; the fuel exceeded the quality levels required by the vehicle manufacturer. Stuart Watson, Ceram’s Organic Chemistry Delivery Supervisor, commented: “CCE are re-using waste and reducing their carbon footprint. Through anaerobic digestion, waste products have been transformed into biomethane which is used as a fuel for their vehicles. By taking an innovative approach, CCE have demonstrated the potential of biomethane as a vehicle fuel for other industries. We are pleased our analysis has helped them to do this.”
Ceram is an independent, international materials technology company that focuses on innovation, sustainability and quality assurance of materials. Headquartered in Staffordshire, UK, and with approved laboratories around the world, Ceram solves product and process challenges across a range of materials to help clients improve performance, comply with regulations and develop their sustainability performance in order to gain a competitive advantage and increase profitability.