He designed superabsorbent microfibers for operations roomsTwo storms in a decade it's discouragingA priori is not particular influx in agenciesThe market also not welcomed the news with enthusiasmAnd the company accepts State aid wherever they comeIn addition the political aspect of the recordWe look for example acquisitions in Spain even if their use has decreased since thirty years5 billion in the second instalment of the convertible securitiesThe France will train the gendarmes of BahrainThis will be one of the stars of the world exhibition of agriculture (Sima) providers. If the tractor is singular, it is not for his public works gear look crossed with a drag racing. It is after all only a T6000, a classic in New Holland. But beyond his a m'as-tu-vu aesthetic, this prototype developed in the laboratories of Fiat is a first world for an agricultural machine: rolling with hydrogen. What earned him one of the Sima innovation gold medals. Indeed, on the machine, Italian engineers kidnapped engine combustion to replace it with two electrical devices: one for traction, the second for the PTO resulting gear (Rotary Harrow, spfh...). Electricity is generated by a fuel cell powered by compressed hydrogen tank, which replaced that of diesel. "We used a 200 litre tank, which offers two hours of autonomy." "But it can go without problem at five or six hours, knowing that a computer tractor diesel tank contains him 600 litres", says Loïc Morel, commercial engineer at New Holland in France. In total, a machine of 106 horsepower corresponding to a power mean. Stack model, known just as a model membrane (PEMFC) proton exchange.
The secret required project mobilized the engineers of the centre for research of Fiat for four months. Finally relatively short time, because the principles of the fuel cell are well known. On the stack, the hydrogen reacts with oxygen from ambient air to produce water and electrons. They generate a current electric motors and auxiliary systems of the tractor. Advantage, such as gear produces only water. Forget the polluting NOx, soot particles or carbon dioxide.
But why a technology which seems to fire long do in automotive interest in agriculture Simply because all the obstacles encountered by the individual car power be quite easily surveys in the agricultural world. Indeed, to start an economy around the hydrogen car assumes three problems. First, produce hydrogen at a reasonable cost from an energy point of view. Then distribute it. Finally, to develop a fuel cell capable of running an individual automobile submitted multiple constraints on weight, performance, security, price... In short, a puzzle.
Photovoltaic
In the agricultural world, things are easier especially if you bet on local production. Farms that often have very large buildings, they could produce their electricity from photovoltaic panels. "The calculations show that 900 square metres of photovoltaic panels would be sufficient to power a tractor of 150 horses," says Ludovic Vimond, responsible for communication and promotion of sales for New Holland in France. The electricity consumed not obviously being sold to the network. Other means is also possible to generate electricity such as wind or biomass. Product, hydrogen can quite easily be stored as compressed gas in a tank, to which the tractor just refuel. Exit distribution concerns.
The leaders of New Holland, considering marketing in five years, already negotiate with suppliers of machines for producing hydrogen by electrolysis in reverse. Goal: sell a comprehensive solution for farmers. Futuristic project No doubt, but credible, provides Jean-Bernard Montalescot, delegate to the economic valuation of Cemagref (Centre machinery agricultural engineering rural water forests) and Adviser of the Sima: "It is true that there was a debate on this machine." But we came to the conclusion that it is not to sell the dream but to encourage them to think. And this track is very interesting. "Some will watch this innovation very seriously. The image by Jean-Luc Westphal, who started the installation of 36,000 square metres of photovoltaic panels on his farm of Weinbourg, in the Bas-Rhin: "if it is technically and economically possible, this is a revolution."
