Fuel saving and emission reduction in fisheries: results of the experimentation of a new magnetic device onboard fishing vessel

This paper reports some tests conducted on a new magnetic device for the reduction of fuel consumption and pollutant emissions, installed onboard an Italian trawler since March 2013 and tested in laboratory in May 2014. The electromagnetic field generated by the device operates as a fuel treatment to the incoming fuel in order to increase the air/fuel mixing process. The consequence of treating fuel with a high magnetic field is supposed to improve combustion of fuel and consequently increasing engine power as well as reducing fuel consumption. The test has been carried out on board a fishing vessel where a fuel consumption measurement system conceived at CNR-ISMAR of Ancona has been installed in 2008 and it is still collecting energy use. The monitoring plan included also emissions measurements in order to evaluate the effects of the magnetic device on the pollutant emissions. Emissions measurements were carried out and results were compared with other trawlers with similar characteristics and same engine. Comparison of fuel consumption between 2012 and 2013 showed a fuel saving of about 4.6%. Also a reduction and modification in emissions has been observed. Nevertheless the small reduction could be influenced by other boundary conditions, thus further analysis are requested. Laboratory tests conducted in May/June 2014 further analyzed the fuel treatment effects of the device. The burning process has been evaluated by means of the Mahler bomb calorimeter.