Locomotives
Greener Railfreight Opportunity Project Phoenix
Case study involving the retrofit of a Class 66 locomotive with a HyOrc engine running initially on LPG/Natural Gas, and then hydrogen within 2-3 years based on projected fuel availability.
RETROFIT SCOPE
2.8 MW HYORC – external‑combustion; multi‑fuel; modular; keep chassis.
ECONOMICS
CapEx £1.29m; rev £538k/yr; OPEX £313k→£358k; payback ~7 yrs (no grants or CO2 credits considered).
EMISSIONS & RANGE
CO₂ vs diesel: ~792 t/yr on H₂; interim ~670 t/yr on LPG; range 700–920 km/refuel.
HOW HYORC STACKS UP VS DIESEL & FUEL CELLS
HYORC |
DIESEL |
FUEL CELL |
|
HOW IT WORKS |
External‑combustion Rankine; closed loop | Internal‑combustion piston engine | Electrochemical stack + traction motor |
EFFICIENCY (THERMAL) |
45+% on H₂/LPG | ≈38% typical | ≈42% system level |
FUEL FLEXIBILITY |
Natural Gas, LPG, H₂, biogas, e‑methanol | Diesel/HVO only | Hydrogen only |
HYDROGEN PURITY |
Operates at ~97%+ purity H₂ (by-product H2 accepted) | N/A | Needs high‑purity H₂; impurity‑sensitive |
RETROFIT & OPEX |
Keep Class 66 frame; O&M <€25k/yr | O&M ~€39k/yr; no decarb gains | Heavy redesign/new build; stack upkeep |