Dr. Samer Fikry, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Qatar University
Doha: Driven by a desire to reduce emissions as well as advance new technologies, Qatar University’s Dr. Samer Fikry, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at QU’s College of Engineering, has invented an innovative emission control technology ‘ClearExhaust’ that can allow the use of diesel engines and at the same time tackle the emission problem.
Diesel engine converts chemical energy contained in the fuel into mechanical power. Diesel fuel is a mixture of hydrocarbons and produces emissions, including pollutants that can have adverse health and environmental effects.
“Emissions from diesel engines are considered a major source of pollution worldwide. The smoke emitted from these engines is extremely harmful to human health as it causes severe diseases like cancer and asthma, is bad for the environment, and contributes to global warming,” Dr. Fikry told The Peninsula in an interview.
Diesel fuel powers highway vehicles and non-road engines and equipment such as cars, trucks, farms, construction, mining equipment, ships and locomotives. When diesel fuel is burned in machines, the emissions contribute to air pollution that has serious human health and environmental effects.
“ClearExhaust LLC produces the first product in the world that eliminates 100% of smoke emission from diesel vehicles and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions simultaneously. Our goal is to have our product installed on all moving and stationary diesel engines worldwide, to have a clean and smoke-free atmosphere,” he added.
Dr. Fikry said the new startup, ClearExhaust LLC, is a spinoff of his research and the second company created through The Office of Strategic Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (SIEED) at QU.
Dr. Samer Fikry said existing technologies to reduce smoke from diesel engines depend on different types of exhaust gas filters.
“These filters can reduce large-size carbon particles from diesel smoke, but not the small ones (soot),” he noted.
Soot is a deep black powdery substance that consists of amorphous carbon produced by the incomplete burning of organic matter. It is a substantial component of smoke from the combustion of carbon-rich organic fuels in the lack of sufficient oxygen. It can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion or via the skin and eyes, causing breathing issues, including asthma, bronchitis, coronary heart disease, and even cancer. Infants, older people and those with breathing problems are susceptible to it.
“I have invented, through ClearExhaust LLC, the smokeless exhaust tube, which is unique and novel in terms of creating a water-type filter in the exhaust tube of the vehicle that can catch all sizes of the carbon particles of diesel smoke without affecting the engine operation,” stressed Dr. Fikry.
“For the first time in the world, this invention can completely eliminate the smoke emissions of diesel engines. In addition, the on-board vehicle testing showed that other important emissions, such as Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Carbon dioxide (CO2) and Unburned Hydrocarbons (HC) could also be decreased by about 20-30%.”
Dr. Fikry added that the smokeless exhaust tube could be installed easily with any diesel engine vehicle, such as trucks and buses, as well as stationary and marine engines.
“This new device can be used to convert old diesel engines that employ Euro 2 and 3 emission standards to Euro 5, which is significant for Qatar’s economic drive,”
he added.
This invention is significant for Qatar because the country has set a national goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 25 percent by 2030, as mentioned in the National Environment and Climate Change Strategy. QU is one of the institutions championing research and innovation to meet these needs, and Dr. Fikry said universities and research institutes should encourage their students and researchers to be independent and creative in doing research.
“They (students) should be encouraged to try new research approaches and methods under good supervision. He disclosed that this should be practised through course projects and graduation projects for the students to be self-motivated towards developing new inventions,” he disclosed.
He, however, emphasised that researchers and inventors should always consider the practical importance of their research and inventions to produce valuable products to address certain problems in Qatar.
“Inventions are the engines to drive the development of the economy and communities. This direction aligns with the Qatar National Vision 2030 to establish a knowledge-based economy. The inventions and innovations are the key to achieving this vision!”
