MTECH has written about the need and techniques for reducing forklift carbon emissions.
Since 2006, there has been growing global debate about carbon footprint measurements for products, incorporating every stage of the product’s life from cradle to grave. These industrial trends have been largely ignored by the Australian sectors.
On 9 October 2007, six of the world’s largest companies banded together to form the Supply Chain Leadership Coalition. The coalition aimed to get suppliers to release data about their carbon emissions and their strategies to combat climate change.
In February 2008, the Australian Food and Grocery Council announced an investigation into carbon labelling for grocery products in Australia. According to Mtech, this is an indication of the growing trend in emission-awareness on the part of customers and consumers. The L.E.K. Consulting Carbon Footprint Report of 2007 indicated 44% of consumers would switch brands if they meant a smaller carbon footprint.
To improve their financial bottom line, businesses have traditionally managed to cut supply chain costs. The supply chain is also a major source of carbon emissions when looking at the carbon footprint of products. The number of forklifts operating in warehouses equate to a large contribution in the carbon footprint of any particular product.
Emission control is a priority issue for companies, not just because of the global debate, but also for safety reasons. This has to be balanced against the cost of fuel for forklifts.
Employees working alongside forklifts in confined spaces, factory units or warehouses are exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and other exhaust pollutants. These can quickly become fatal, and the dangers are compounded by the impaired judgement and reflexes caused by reduced oxygen levels.
The ACT Workcover 2005 Guide to Forklift Safety indicates a working with a 1.8 litre LPG engine operating in an unventilated 60,000 cubic metre warehouse takes around 30 minutes to exceed exposure standards for carbon monoxide.
The most obvious way of reducing forklift emissions is to use electric forklifts. This is also the most expensive.
According to Mtech, its Fuel Saver product can reduce engine emissions by 23%. The product consists of three clip-in modules. These modules are said to increase an engine’s fuel efficiency and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. They are suited for petrol, diesel and LPG engines.
The technology changes the properties of fuel through molecular reaction, by separating fuel molecules. Separated molecules form smaller droplets which ignite better and burn more completely. This is said to result in less pollution, reduced carbon build-up and more power.
Mtech will be exhibiting at the Australian Carbon Trading Expo 2008 until 1 May.
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