An independent 18-month trial of Advanced Hydrogen Technologies (AHT) Group’s carbon capture device has reported significantly lower emissions from diesel lorry exhausts in the Abels Moving Services’ fleet.

During the in-depth study involving Abels’ HGVs, control vehicles averaged a particulate number count of 116,300 cm³ while identical trucks fitted with AHT’s carbon capture device peaked at just 10,030 cm³ - a peak reduction of 91.4 %.

AHT’s unique, eco-friendly testing process uses hydrogen to remove carbon build up, which is worst in diesel and high mileage engines. The UK government and similar organisations focus on gases as part of the Euro Emissions Standard initiative, but AHT’s system further reduces harmful fine particulates, less than 2.5 micron in diameter, which are strongly associated with detrimental health effects. Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 can remain airborne for long periods and be drawn deeper into the lungs and bloodstream than Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide or NOX.

Mark Costa-Rising, Chief Commercial Officer at Abels Moving Services’ parent company, AGM Group: said: “We’re delighted with the results and utilising this technology on our vehicles going forward will give us real partnership leverage when it comes to proving ESG compliance and reduction of our carbon footprint. With the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive set to become even more stringent from January 2024, it will also give us tangible benefits in our social, environmental and financial reporting and put us at the forefront of sustainability performance. Quite simply, this technology will demonstrably negate our impact on the environment and reduce our carbon footprint – positioning us as a good, better and preferred company to do business with.”

AHT Group’s CEO, Ben Kattenhorn, commented: “These results clearly demonstrate how our award-winning proprietary technology harnesses the power of hydrogen to drastically reduce vehicle emissions, and over the coming months we will be revealing further evidence following independent trials with other household names. We envisage the widespread use of hydrogen as the primary source of safe, economical and sustainable energy, with the potential to reduce not only pollution but also household energy bills: it’s the future of cleantech.”

With the subject truck engine carbon cleaned first (otherwise it blocks the capture), AHT’s carbon device works in conjunction with the vehicle’s exhaust system to further reduce particulate matter. The subject vehicle fitted with the device emitted far less than another identical but newer control vehicle with lower mileage, plus it prolongs the life of the diesel particulate filter (DPF) and makes it work more efficiently.

Particle number (PN) testing also facilitates the differentiation between high and low concentration of fine emissions – both of which would pass the current smoke opacity test – but with the European Union about to switch to particulate matter reader over opacity meter for a new-style MOT, this testing process has never been more timely and relevant.

The test was carried out at Abels Moving Services, based in Ipswich, Suffolk, during April 2022 to October 2023, by independent testing specialist Analyze, based in Maldon, Essex, and trading as Boston Garage Equipment. For more information about AHT Group, click here.