An Iowa alternative fuel engine manufacturer has reached an agreement with an irrigation pump maker in California to make the world's first ammonia-powered irrigation pump system.
Hydrogen Engine Center Inc. (HEC) is working with Sawtelle & Rosprim Inc. to integrate HEC ammonia-powered engines with Sawtelle's pumps to complete a prototype system for testing and evaluation. The prototype system is being designed to run 24 hours a day and is expected to be tested in California during the 2007 irrigation season. HEC intends to begin selling the finalized system into California during 2008.
The engines developed by HEC run on anhydrous ammonia, or NH3, which has been used by farmers for many years as a fertilizer. Ammonia contains more hydrogen per cubic foot than liquid H2. HEC considers ammonia the “other hydrogen".
HEC manufactures and sells its brand named Oxx Power internal combustion engines capable of running on a multitude of fuels, including ammonia, hydrogen, propane, natural gas, ethanol and gasoline.
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