Quadrise Fuels International PLC (AIM:QFI, OTC:QDRSF) told investors that extensive testing of its bioMSAR fuel is showing its suitability for marine and power plant applications, with vessel trials with shipping giant MSC set to begin later this year.
Wärtsilä Services Switzerland has so far carried out optical combustion and engine wear tests on the synthetic biofuel as a necessary precursor to the commercial-scale vessel trials, as part of the AIM-listed company’s framework agreement with MSC Shipmanagement, a subsidiary of MSC Group.
The optical combustion test of MSAR and diesel fuels confirmed bioMSAR to have similar injection and combustion properties as MSAR, Quadrise said, suggesting bioMSAR will behave similarly when used in medium and slow-speed diesel engines.
Having also successfully completed extended wear tests over a 250-hour period, the next phase of assessment has been scheduled: hazard identification and operability studies.
Following these tests, commercial vessel testing will begin on the MSC Leandra.
"The extensive tests undertaken by Wärtsilä clearly demonstrate the suitability of bioMSAR for use in both marine and power plant applications,” said Quadrise chief executive Jason Miles.
With the tests an important step to clear the fuel for commercial supply, he said the final round of tests for the planned vessel trials for both MSAR and bioMSAR will progress later this year.