Work for CNH Industrial by Ricardo forms part of the APC UK funded Low Carbon Tractor (LoCT) project, which aims to develop a commercially viable agricultural tractor capable of operation on sustainable locally sourced biomethane.

The diesel tractor is the backbone of many farming operations worldwide. With its requirements for high power and torque, as well as versatility, it is understandable that diesel is currently the fuel of choice for this ubiquitous agricultural workhorse. Biomethane, however, is a fuel source that is increasingly being harnessed by many media- to large-scale farming operations, through the process of anaerobic bio-digestion of waste vegetation. While much of the biomethane produced by such units are used in renewable energy generation schemes, a clear potential pathway exists to produce sustainable fuel for tractors and other powered agricultural equipment, thus displacing at the source the mineral diesel that would otherwise be used.

In the APC UK funded LoCT project, CNH Industrial – one of the world’s leading capital goods companies – is partnering with exhaust after-treatment technology specialist Eminox and thermal management and ceramic coating specialist Zircotec. The project aims to design and demonstrate a commercially viable tractor capable of operation on biomethane while conforming to the latest European and U.S. emissions standards.

CNH Industrial has contracted Ricardo to support its contribution to the LoCT project, specifically for some of the design and development of the vehicle, working alongside CNH Industrial’s in-house team as the vehicle approaches readiness for commercial production implementation. Key challenges include managing the heat rejection and tuning of the engine to be able to operate successfully in an agricultural environment, and the optimization of vehicle-based compressed natural gas storage to fulfil operational needs while also meeting all necessary safety and visibility requirements.

“Ricardo is pleased to be supporting CNH Industrial on this important project,” comments Ricardo Project Director, Steve Pendrey. “Biomethane offers an attractive alternative and sustainable fuel pathway to mineral diesel, for the decarbonization of farm-based operation of tractors and other equipment in the off-highway and commercial vehicle areas. By bringing our automotive and off-highway engines expertise to this exciting project, we hope to play our part in pulling forward this promising technology.”

”CNH Industrial is a global leader in the development and commercialization of alternative propulsion technologies through its powertrain brand FPT Industrial,” adds Alistair Walshaw, Engineering Project Manager, CNH Industrial. “The company’s commercial vehicle brand IVECO is the market leader in on-highway natural gas commercial vehicles, and CNH Industrial’s New Holland Agriculture and CASE Construction Equipment brands are pioneering the use of natural gas in off-road applications.”

The first examples of the pre-development LoCT project tractors were displayed at the LCV Show, held at Millbrook, September 4-5 2019.

Source: https://ricardo.com

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Nicole Portilla
Nicole Portilla
Nicolle Portilla is RTS’s Social Media Manager, and has been a valued member of the team since July 2018. She is responsible for content creation on all platforms, leveraging creative software, industry trends and research, and social media strategy to build upon the company’s online presence. Additionally, Nicolle contributes to the RTS blog, which serves to educate clients and industry players about our technology and sustainability efforts, and is responsible for the creation and dissemination of our internal and external newsletters. Prior to taking on the role of Social Media Manager, Nicolle served on the Sustainability team for nearly three years, assisting clients in achieving their sustainability goals through external communications and event organizing. Preceding Nicolle’s time on the RTS team is her work with Clean Water Action, where she promoted clean water initiatives. Nicolle graduated from Stony Brook University in 2018 with a B.A. in Sustainability.

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