Vehicles powered by renewable energy have now become one of the main focal points of the world. But it seems that electricity may not be our only solution to this issue.
CNH Industrial, a sub-brand of the tractor giant New Holland, has developed a fertilizer-powered tractor. The new technology developed on the T6 model of the Italy-based company, New Holland, works by converting the tractor’s methane gas into liquid.
Why was such a thing needed?
CNH CEO Scott Wine explains why they need such technology. “Electrification does matter, but it will not replace diesel.” He began to speak his words. The reason for this was basically that today’s technology was not capable of covering long working hours in the fields.
When the methane gas source is abundant in the fields and farms, gas begins to be seen as a logical fuel. Thanks to the excrement of 75 cows, a tractor gets rid of fuel wherever there is methane gas, that is, in the fields and on the farms, and works in an endless cycle.
How is methane gas converted to liquid?
When methane reaches temperatures below -82.3 degrees Celsius, it liquefies under the influence of pressure. In this way, methane gas, which is abundant in fields and farms, is collected and converted into liquid.
Of course, this liquid cannot be transferred directly to a normal tractor as fuel. To prevent this, the company renews the engine in the tractor with a turbo system and overhauls the combustion of the tractor according to methane.
Liquid methane is stored at these points and transferred to tractors:
The methane gas, which is converted to liquid, is stored in the little gas station-like structures you see above. According to the statement, each of these tanks can store enough gas for a tractor for a month. This gas is then easily converted to liquid.
What is the performance of the tractor?
Working with liquid methane, the tractor can produce 180 horsepower. This means almost the same power as a diesel tractor. But there is also the environmental aspect of it.
The tractor emits 62% less nitrous oxide and 15% less carbon dioxide than its diesel equivalents. Its tank fills in 10 minutes, including the process of converting gas to liquid.
Of course, there is a downside:
Working mainly with manure, the New Holland T6 is about 30% more expensive than comparable tractors. The tractor is delivered to customers who ask for 203 thousand dollars.
59851
