Perkins Engines lights a spark for a Hydrogen and Alternative fuel future

Project Coeus is a partnership between Perkins Engines, Loughborough University and Equipmake, a UK-based engineering specialist focused on the electrification of products. 

To learn more, Peter Haddock spoke to Paul Moore, Head of Integrated Powertrain Solutions at its recent press conference in the Design Museum, who explained the challenges it aims to overcome. 

Paul: “With the rise in alternative fuels, including Hydrogen, Methanol, Ethanol and Bio Methane we are seeing a future that is more diverse and dependent on the cost and availability of fuels across the world. 

“On top of this, we have the increasing use of hybrid and battery power solutions, so there are numerous options for delivering the power needed for a wide variety of mainstream and specialist equipment. 

“This is where Project Coeus comes in and will allow us to create new platform architectures using spark plugs to ignite fuels, with solutions that can also cope with the physical property differences of the fuels. 

Peter then talked to Ian Foley of MD of Equipmake, who added:

“Our expertise is in the development of key components like electric motors, generators and inverters. So working with Perkins, we have been able to integrate our components and supporting technology into their power solution.” 

When it comes to understanding how different fuels perform, you need to look inside the engine, and this is where the latest laser technology comes into play.

So, in his final interview, Peter spoke to Edward Long, Senior Lecturer at Loughborough University, to find out more.

Edward: “When you want to measure a particular flow or a spray in an engine, you don't want to put a probe in as this will disrupt the whole process. So we use lasers, cameras and sensors to really investigate what's going on with those flows. 

“This allows us to assess what's going on as we can measure the flow structures during the whole intake process or in the compression, right at the point of it being ignited