Carbon ‘sponge’ cleans up

British inventor could have developed solution to current emissions problems.

Auto Express Car Reviews

27th June 2008

A British engineer has invented a device that could halve current CO2 emissions from cars.

Ian Houston of Origo Industries, based on the Isle of Man, has created the EcoBox. It’s a converter that acts as a chemical sponge, absorbing CO2 in the exhaust gases. Ian fitted a prototype to his Mitsubishi Shogun, and emissions fell from 275g/km to 110g/km – just one 1g/km more than a Volkswagen
Polo BlueMotion!

Even more impressive is what happens to the spent CO2 cartridge after it is replaced. The gas is fed into a bio-reactor containing algae, which absorbs it and produces an oil as a by-product. After distilling, this fluid can be used to create a biofuel suitable for cars.

The system, which made its debut at the Green Car Guide Live show in Liverpool last week, has already attracted interest from a number of motor manufacturers.