ClearExhaust

​ About:

Emissions from diesel engines are considered to be a major source of pollution worldwide. Smoke emissions, in particular, can cause very severe diseases such as cancer and asthma. All the existing technologies to reduce diesel engine smoke depend on different types of exhaust gas filters. These filters can manage to reduce the large-sized carbon particles from the diesel smoke. However, the small-sized particles (called soot in many references with less than 5µm diameter) cannot be eliminated by these filters in order not to affect the engine operation. The proposed technique is unique and novel in terms of it depending on creating a water-type filter in the exhaust tube of the vehicle that can catch ALL sizes of the carbon particles of the diesel smoke without affecting the engine operation. Unlike the existing smoke filters, the developed smokeless exhaust tube is capable of eliminating completely (100%) the smoke emissions of diesel engines. In addition, the testing results showed that other important greenhouse emissions such as NOx, CO2, and HC decreased by about 20-30% when using this novel smokeless exhaust tube. This tube can be installed without major modifications in all diesel engine vehicles, especially trucks, buses and construction equipment, as well as stationary engines such as diesel generators. It should be mentioned that this novel tube was tested in the lab and onboard a bus in different operating conditions. Finally, we have already received pilot purchase orders.

Scientific or Technical Area:

Mechanical Engineering – Emission Reduction Technologies

Project Timeline:

November, 2022–Ongoing

Main Objectives of the Project:

• Develop an innovative emission reduction system for diesel engines.
• Eliminate completely smoke emissions of diesel engines
• Reduce other greenhouse gases such as CO2 and NOx by about 30%

Anticipated Impact and Relevance:

ClearExhaust LLC is the second startup company to emerge from the innovative research at Qatar University. It is registered at QFC. It develops innovative emission reduction products for combustion systems. Its first product is the Smokeless Exhaust System, which has a granted US patent. The second product, which is currently in the prototype stage, is the Portable Carbon Capture System, which has a non-provisional US patent application. Using the diesel engine is currently a hot topic worldwide due to the importance of these engines for the world economy on one hand. On the other hand, they create very bad pollution affecting the people’s health and cause global warming. Therefore, our invented tube provides an ultimate solution to this problem to keep using these engines in a clean and environmentally friendly way. Moreover, the system can be fitted easily with the existing exhaust tube of any diesel vehicle or equipment.

ClearExhaust is a clear example of fostering a knowledge-based economy, which is aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 and Qatar 2024-2030 Renewable Energy Climate Change Strategy.

Supervisor(s) Details:

• Full Name: Prof. Samer Ahmed
• Job Title/Position: Professor of Mechanical Engineering – Founder and CEO of ClearExhaust LLC
• Department or Unit: Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department
• Institution/Affiliation: Qatar University – ClearExhaust LLC
• Email Address: sahmed@qu.edu.qa

Team Members Involved:

• Aboubaker Elbashir, a post doctor. Dr. Elbashir has obtained a PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering from Qatar University. He is responsible for design and manufacturing.
• Ahmad Sakr, a research assistant. Mr. Sakr has a BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is responsible for product development.
• Ahmed Ibrahim, a part-time engineer. Mr. Ibrahim has a BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is responsible for product manufacturing in the team.

Associated Resources or Publications:

Picture of the Prototype: