Hydrogen-blended CNG buses debut in Delhi

In a first, the national capital  New Delhi will see buses plying on hydrogen-spiked CNG that gives emissions equivalent to BS-VI grade fuel from a lower category engine. Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan formally launched the trial run of 50 buses on hydrogen-blended CNG or H-CNG on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, he said Indian Oil Corp’s (IOC) R&D Centre has developed the patented compact reforming process for H-CNG production directly from natural gas.Besides lower emissions, H-CNG also gives better mileage, he said.Pradhan mentioned, "Hydrogen is the ultimate fuel, which, while giving energy, produces clean water in the emissions. Apart from this, it has many other virtues as the capacity to get the rural sector involved with the energy sector through biomass".

Pradhan said the trails of H-CNG will be run in 50 BS-IV compliant buses. “Providing clean and reliable energy supplies is the topmost priority of the government,” he said, adding the trial of HCNG on 50 buses will be a major breakthrough in India’s journey towards the hydrogen. For the pilot, 18 per cent of hydrogen is being spiked in CNG. H-CNG gives 70 per cent less carbon monoxide and is 25 per cent lower in hydrocarbon emissions in heavy-duty BS-IV engines as compared to baseline CNG, according to a statement by IOC. It increased fuel economy by 4 to 5 per cent.Pradhan inaugurated compact reformer plant and launched the much-awaited trial run of Delhi's buses on Hydrogen-blended CNG (HCNG).