Five Things You Didn’t Know About an Emerging Green Technology

X-1R Corp, a Daytona Beach, Florida-based company best known for its NASA-approved “Certified Space Technology” lubricant, has completed a long-term research study at Sysco Intermountain, an industry-leading food service distributor.

The project aimed to research and test a polymer-based “green fuel additive”, developed to significantly improve the combustion process for large diesel truck fleets. The benefit to Sysco Intermountain trucks is an immediate reduction of harmful diesel emissions, combined with momentous savings through improved fuel burning efficiency.

For over 18 months, X-1R’s Utah-based fleet engineering team, consisting of truck fleet engineer, John Lorenzo, with University of Utah student in mining engineering, Gates Campbell, conducted long-term testing at Sysco Intermountain’s fleet of over 100 trucks, overseen by Dr. Mike Nelson, professor at University of Utah. The technology tested at Sysco Intermountain is a patented unique, polymer-based diesel fuel additives formulated from long-term studies, testing and research.

This technology has major environmental benefits, as well as cost-saving opportunities for the trucking industry. Used in diesel engines, this technology can help save our planet, one mile at a time. As a first-of-its-kind product, it is an important example of the surprises that are often found in the world of green technology.

The technology being used throughout Sysco’s truck fleet is simply a method for improving the combustion efficiency of internal combustion engines. Here are five things that you may not know about this new fuel additive, and the green technology industry:

1. This fuel additive increased miles per gallon by 12%.

Using this additive increased fuel efficiency by a whopping 12% in MPG's in tractor-trailer combinations on real world routes. The Sysco Intermountain location saw a reduction of 2,076,477 pounds, or 942 metric tons, in greenhouse gas emissions. This would be equivalent to taking 181 cars off the road for an entire year!

2. Using the additive reduced NOx emission levels by over 30%.

In addition to the reduction of greenhouse gasses from less fuel consumption, this fuel additive also reduces the emissions from burnt fuel. The emissions showed a reduction of 38% in NOx. NOx is linked to forming smog, which is a well-known air quality problem in Utah.

3. The additive showed a marked decrease in truck regenerations.

Regeneration is the process of cleaning soot particles from the truck's exhaust filter, to prevent back pressure in the system. Fewer regenerations lead to less truck downtime and less waste because the diesel particulate filters do not need to be replaced and/or cleaned as often.

4. This product was tested in a real-world setting.

In the US, most such products are tested only in the controlled setting of a lab and actual results can differ greatly. Real world testing is difficult because there are many more variables and the operating conditions are more severe. Fuel consumption and regenerations were monitored and recorded by the truck's on-board computer. Emissions were recorded by an instrument attached to the truck's exhaust, and the emission recording system was continuously monitored by a researcher in the cab of the truck.

5. Realistic green technology research is difficult and limited, but we’re collaborating to make it happen.

Because of high cost and resource investments, it is difficult for most companies to justify such research. This is not the case with Sysco Intermountain and X1R, who collaborated with Dr. Nelson and Ms. Campbell on this study, which otherwise could have cost anywhere from US$200,000 to well over US$1 million. They understand how important it is to support research, and was a key partner in this groundbreaking study.

If you would like learn more about X1R’S fuel additive and other green technologies and products, please visit https://x1rcorp.com/