Delhi to have HCNG buses, cleaner fueled than CNG buses

NEW DELHI: Delhi will get buses fueled with hydrogen enriched CNG (HCNG), which is cleaner fuel than CNG from next year. Delhi government has tied up with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), a public sector undertaking, to induct 50 such buses on trial basis to help study technology and its infrastructure requirements.

IOCL has informed the Delhi government that Rajghat depot will be used for trial and work will begin later in this month. During this trial, IOCL plans to test the performance of buses and reduction in emissions by mixing 18-20 per cent of hydrogen to CNG (compressed natural gas) in every bus.

Last month apex court had directed Union government and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) to consider HCNG as alternative fuel option after following a report from Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority. The report said that it could result in reduction of Carbon monoxide (CO) and other emissions by as much as 70 per cent.

Varsha Joshi, transport commissioner said, “The best thing about HCNG is that it does not require any modification of engine. Only some calibration is required in the bus. Whatever work is needed will be done at the depot. HCNG will reduce carbon emission by up to 20% in each of the 50 CNG buses,”

SSV Kumar, director of research and development of IOCL said that for converting the existing 5,500 CNG bus fleet in Delhi to this fuel, government will require 400 tonnes of HCNG on daily basis and 48 compact steam methane reforming (SMR) units. An SMR is a unit that produces hydrogen for the HCNG fuel. He informed that the design of the compact SMR unit is finalized and the depot will have another section of HCNG fuel to dispense the fuel into buses. He added that they will need six months to set up the depot and begin trial.