MEC, a Norwegian company that works to optimize combustion processes, introduces their combustion optimisation offering to the MENA region.
MEC executives landed in the UAE last September looking to market a unique, Norwegian patented technology which has an interesting effect. When attached to fossil fuel combustion engines, anything from cars, lorries and trucks, busses and generators to ships, gas turbines, oil field flares and coal burning power plants the fuels in them burn more efficiently. This results in two outcomes. For the same distance and effort, less fuel is burnt and less CO2 and soot particles is emitted into the atmosphere.
Over the past 10 years, MEC (Magnetic Emission Control AS) developed and patented this technology in Norway, and after extensive road and lab testing, the first products rolled out into the Norwegian market in 2002. In the Fall of 2010, the company turned its focus across the Atlantic to the United States and developed a strategic alliance with Omega-Tec, targeting the automotive after-market in North America.
“We came to the UAE, the region’s business and innovation hub, to talk to progressive companies in the oil, gas and transportation sectors interested in a cost effective method of saving on their fuel consumption costs,” said Bjorn Skjervold, MEC’s CEO. “With renewable technology pioneers like Masdar and IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) in Abu Dhabi, we feel that our ideas will gain traction here, just like they did in the US.”
The rising price of oil adds more relevance to MEC’s story. For companies that manage large fleets of vehicles, or oil and gas companies that rely on the use of generators to power their operations in remote locations, savings of 5 to 20 percent have a direct impact on their bot-tom lines. Not to mention the positive atmospheric and environmental benefits.
“The world is looking for combustion solutions that are low on carbon emissions and more environmentally friendly. Our technology, when applied correctly, leads to increased fuel effi-ciency, by up to 20 percent and reduced emissions,” continued Skjervold. “This ultimately results in reduced carbon, soot and particle emissions.”
And the proof is in the pudding. MEC conducted multiple, extensive testing programs to gain the required accreditations, which delivered impressive results.
In cooperation with Auburn University in the United States, MEC conducted a series of ‘Engine-Dynamometer Tests’ which test engines for efficiency. Another series of tests were conducted using the J1321 test, an industry standard developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the International Organization of Engineering Professionals and the Ameri-can Trucking Association (ATA) – which EPA is behind- support the test. Both showed that MEC AS’s unique, proprietary technology optimizes combustion processes and increases fuel efficiency. This in turn acts to reduce carbon, soot and particle emissions.
“The SAE J1321 is the ‘gold standard’ in the United States. Successful completion of the SAE J1321 test, combined with other positive test results from Auburn University, one of Amer-ica’s leading research universities, speaks volumes,” said Van Hipp, Jr, former Deputy Assis-tant for the US Army Secretary and currently MEC AS advisor.
Currently, MEC AS has over 20,000 satisfied customers in Europe and the United States, many of whom reported fuel savings of between 8 and 12 percent.
