The proposed Hythane System will convert the existing natural gas fueling station in Barstow into an Energy Station offering three types of clean fuel (natural gas, hydrogen and Hythane) and integrate Hythane into the existing natural gas vehicle fleet.

The City of Barstow is going above and beyond. We helped fund a natural gas station and they are taking it a step further to a cleaner fuel. They have gone the extra step by paving the way to bring this ultra-clean 80/20 fuel to the region. We encourage other cities in the region to follow their lead.

—Violette Roberts, spokesperson for the MDAQMD

Natural gas (methane) has a relatively narrow flammability range that limits the fuel efficiency as well as the reductions in emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) possible at lean air/fuel ratios.

The addition of even a small amount of hydrogen extends methane’s lean flammability range significantly. Methane has a slow flame speed, especially in lean air/fuel mixtures, while hydrogen has a flame speed about eight times faster. Methane is a fairly stable molecule that can be difficult to ignite, but hydrogen has an ignition energy requirement about 25 times lower than methane.

Finally, methane can be difficult to completely combust in the engine or catalyze in exhaust after treatment converters. In contrast, hydrogen is a powerful combustion stimulant for accelerating the methane combustion within an engine, and hydrogen is also a powerful reducing agent for efficient catalysis at lower exhaust temperatures.

In tests between Hythane and CNG engines run by the Center for Transportation Technology and Systems, SunLine Transit Agency (which currently runs two Hythane buses) and Cummins Westport, the Hythane-fueled engines reduced NO_x emissions by 50%, non-methane hydrocarbons by 58%, methane by 16%, total hydrocarbons by 23% and CO₂ by 7% (approximately 10 million tons per year).

These reductions were achieved with no significant change in fuel efficiency between the Hythane- and CNG-fueled engines. (Earlier post.)

Hythane is a patented fuel blend. Blends of hydrogen and CNG at higher hydrogen ratios are termed HCNG. CIty Engines, for example, is developing and marketing hydrogen/natural gas (HCNG) engines optimized for a blend of 30% hydrogen and 70% natural gas. (Earlier post.)

The Hythane Company has projects currently underway in Colorado, Arizona, Georgia, Florida, New Mexico, New York, New Jersey and internationally in China and India.