Page 10 - Vol.38-No.9

CROP CULTIVATION

NEW HOLLAND AGRICULTURE DEBUTS

WORLD’S FIRST LNG TRACTOR

The importance of energy is at a historic Industrial’s broader future natural gas a covered slurry lagoon or tank, where the
peak. New and efficient ways of generating, portfolio, particularly towards larger and emitted fugitive methane (alongside other
using, and storing energy are required to heavier agricultural equipment, as well as polluting gases) is captured, subsequently
address this global issue. construction equipment. being purified and converted into liquefied
methane using a processing unit. A liquifi-
The T7 Methane Power LNG pre-pro-
duction prototype offers unparalleled cation unit can simply be bolted on to an
performance for an alternative fuel trac- existing CNG processing unit for further
tor. With its 270hp, it delivers the same flexibility – ideal for farms which already
power and torque as a diesel tractor while produce their own biomethane.
delivering autonomy without the need for Bennamann’s patented non-venting cry-
any extra tanks. It is also more sustaina- ogenic storage tanks keep the methane as
ble, being better than carbon neutral when a liquid at -162°C, producing a new source
powered by Liquefied Biomethane sourced of clean power for the T7 Methane Power
from livestock manure/slurry. LNG tractor. Furthermore, this technology
Bennamann: a winning partnership and enables LNG to be transported, similar to
CNH Industrial keeps its customers mov- scalable solution for all farms diesel, to wherever it is required, mean-
ing forward with smart and sustainable ing farms which do not have the ability to
equipment and services. Always advancing CNH Industrial values alliances with in- produce LNG on-site can still benefit from
and evolving to deliver future-proof solu- novative and disruptive industry players to its advantages, as well as enabling flexible
tions for farmers, the Company’s long-term accelerate time to market for new tech- in-field refueling during intense operational
R&D investment in alternative fuels is part nologies. To spearhead this latest devel- windows.
of what makes us the industry leader in opment, we partnered with Bennamann, When this prototype tractor is integrated
agriculture. a UK-based expert in solutions to capture within Bennamann’s on-farm liquid fugi-
and repurpose fugitive methane emissions
Our global New Holland Agriculture brand for energy use. Our work together began in tive biomethane production process, it is
has long championed alternative fuels as March 2021, when we acquired a minority possible for an operation’s overall carbon
the future of farming, establishing its stake in Bennamann Ltd., its research, de- footprint to be ‘better than zero.’ The trac-
Clean Energy Leader Strategy in 2006. velopment, engineering and manufacturing tor’s surrounding environment also benefits
Since then, the brand has accumulat- arm. We became their exclusive strategic from a significant reduction in drive-by
ed vast experience and expertise in this agricultural technology partner and this noise levels, making it perfect for tasks
area, developing concepts, prototypes and cooperation has quickly established con- near livestock or in urban areas.
ultimately the first ever commercialized crete future benefits for our customers As a result, the combined expertise and
natural gas tractor: the New Holland T6 and the environment. resources of CNH Industrial and Bennamann
Methane Power. enable farmers everywhere to fully inte-
Bennamann’s multi-patented approach
The brand unveils the next step in its prevents methane from entering the at- grate this scalable and affordable Energy
Clean Energy journey with the T7 Meth- mosphere (methane is more than 80 times Independent system on their farms. It also
ane Power LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) more harmful to global warming than CO2 provides new opportunities and revenue
pre-production prototype tractor. when measured over 20 years) by ulti- streams to monetize or repurpose their
T7 LNG: the right blend of autonomy, mately converting it into Liquefied Fugitive waste. These include: fuel production at
power, comfort and opportunity Methane (LFM) for use as a ‘better than a stable cost; sale of excess biomethane
zero carbon’ biofuel. This solution can sig- on the open market; generation of 100%
A farm’s carbon footprint is a major factor natural fertilizer; and conversion of excess
in determining its sustainability. And farm- nificantly reduce the carbon footprint of methane into electricity for export to a grid
ers still need powerful tractors that can run an average dairy farm by preventing the or local use. The opportunity for electricity
around the clock. Natural gas, and espe- direct emission of methane from slurry generation is key – this can be used to run
cially biomethane, are presently the ideal lagoons and tanks, as well as providing a electric vehicles (future agricultural ma-
solutions to guarantee higher horsepower range of additional benefits. These include chines alongside existing cars and vans) as
machine performance, while also lowering reducing the use of CO2 intensive chemical well as powering the farm, which in remote
emissions and reducing operating costs. fertilizers, the displacement of fossil fuel rural areas, with restricted electric power,
use in tractors, electricity generation and
The T7 Methane Power LNG will more heat provision, and a reduction in the need could unlock future expansion.
than double the autonomy compared for slurry spreading. The CO2 reduction for T7 Methane Power LNG: ingenious de-
to a CNG design whilst boosting overall a 120-cow farm is potentially equivalent sign, productivity and tech
farm sustainability. In comparison to the to around 100 western households.
T6 Methane Power CNG, this is a four- The T7 Methane Power LNG pre-pro-
fold increase in fuel capacity. LNG is also How it works: A tried-and-tested energy duction prototype is the latest demon-
a key facilitator for the expansion of CNH independent sustainable farm system sees stration of CNH Industrial Breaking New
collected livestock manure transferred to Ground by developing a world first that will
8 Vol. 38 No. 9