Completed projects
Projects that have been completed by the Sustainable Energy Technology Research Group are shown here.
- Development of new design and analysis system
- Novel energy efficient drying system
- Hydrogen combustion and delivery
- Evaluation of the fuel and additives
Development of new design and analysis system
2009-2011, KTP project with Coopers Bearing Limited, £120k
The overall aim of the project was to improve the quality and reliability of split bearings by solving three major challenges through the introduction of an advanced design and analysis system capable of optimising designs from a number of input parameters for complex bearing geometries.
The outcomes from the project have contributed to a quick introduction of new product ranges to the competitive new markets, such as renewable energy: wind turbines, tidal river systems.
Novel energy efficient drying system
2008-2010, KTP project with Secomak Ltd., £136k
The overall project aims were to evaluate the market and establish new scientific methods for high speed drying and to bring drying performance to a level of ‘total drying’. Main achievements from this project were:
- Development of a ‘Total Drying Machine’ or sold as ‘independent units’ fitted as part of a new project or as a retro-fit.
- The independent units are now on offer as the Secomak ECOpack which can save energy by intelligent supply on demand control combined with frequency or speed control, the DryGuide drying machine with innovative drying panel technology and the PowerCAT unit – Controlled Atmosphere Tunnel which contains air which is below the dew point temperature of the surface of the containers – hence zero condensation.
- The combination of these three products is the Secomak Drying Tunnel which is the top-end product demanded by drinks companies who are prepared to allocate resources to the very best machinery and will not accept any weak link in their production line which may slow down production. The high value labellers, coding machines, inspection machines and packaging machines are examples of equipment whose efficiency is limited by the dryness of the container surfaces.
- Secomak is now marketing and selling the KTP derived products to its international customer base. Its competitors will struggle to keep up with innovations that have rapidly evolved in Secomak’s product range during the KTP activity.
Hydrogen combustion and delivery
2007-2010, KTP project with ITM Power Plc, £350k
The project was to develop a dual fuel powertrain and fuel storage conversion system for hydrogen/petrol powered automotive vehicles. ITM sponsored a purpose-built lab for developing sustainable energy technologies in order for the KTP Associates to carry out the tests. The facilities included hydrogen generation and storage and a 4-axis rolling road.
The University of Hertfordshire Labs were equipped the engine test cell facility that also had the hydrogen fuel capability.
- Main achievements from this project were:
- A dual-fuel, (hydrogen/gasoline) Ford Focus, has been demonstrated around the UK to prove the technology.
- A stand-by generator fuelled by hydrogen has been applied as a hydrogen back-up power-and-heat demonstration system.
- A sophisticated hydrogen storage and vehicle refuelling station has been constructed at the company’s production facility, this is the first of its kind in the UK.
- Increased knowhow in hydrogen engine combustion and engine management has resulted in the establishment of an automotive engineering team.
Evaluation of the fuel and additives
2009, KEEP project with ChemEcol, £10k
The project aimed to develop an advanced novel diesel additives, which are capable of reducing vehicle emission and improving the fuel consumption. The project also offered the company an opportunity to test new variations of its current technology and see its effect at a variety of engine load and speed conditions in order to know at what specific engine condition the additive treatments had the most effect. This project has allowed further development work to take place to ensure the treatment was optimised for a particular condition.