Combustion Optimisation & Safeguard Framework Alignment in Mining Operations
Executive Overview
Diesel is one of the largest controllable operating costs for Australian mining operations and heavy fleet operators. It is also a primary contributor to Scope 1 emissions.
Under Australia’s Safeguard Mechanism, facilities exceeding prescribed emissions baselines must surrender carbon credits (ACCUs or SMCs), creating a direct financial exposure linked to diesel combustion.
Improving combustion efficiency therefore supports both operating cost control and carbon exposure management.
FTC Decarbonizer provides a standards-referenced combustion optimisation strategy evaluated under recognised engineering methodologies.
Documented Mining Field Performance
FTC Decarbonizer (FPC configuration) was evaluated in a structured underground mining field trial using AS2077-based Carbon Mass Balance methodology.
Trial parameters included:
- 3 underground haul trucks
- 3 underground loaders
- 5-month baseline versus treated comparison
- Continuous dosing at 1:10,000
Measured Result
An average 7.27% reduction in measured carbon mass flow relative to baseline under defined duty cycles.
Carbon Mass Balance measures the mass of carbon exiting the exhaust relative to baseline operation. Reduced carbon mass flow indicates improved combustion efficiency and reduced fuel consumption under measured conditions.
Results vary depending on engine type, duty cycle, fuel quality, maintenance condition and operating environment.
Carbon Exposure & Safeguard Framework Context
Australia does not operate a fixed economy-wide carbon tax. However, under the Safeguard Mechanism, large emitters must manage emissions relative to prescribed baselines. Where emissions exceed baseline levels, carbon credits must be surrendered.
Safeguard baselines are subject to annual decline rates under current policy settings. As baseline thresholds tighten, marginal abatement opportunities within operational boundaries become increasingly valuable.
For heavy-duty diesel combustion:
1 million litres ≈ 2,716 tonnes CO₂-e Scope 1 emissions
(Based on Australian National Greenhouse Accounts emission factor for diesel combustion.)
Illustrative example:
A site consuming 10 million litres annually:
- 3% reduction ≈ 815 tCO₂-e reduction
- 5% reduction ≈ 1,358 tCO₂-e reduction
Where facilities operate above baseline thresholds, reduced emissions may proportionally reduce carbon credit procurement requirements.
Combustion efficiency improvement therefore becomes both a cost-control and carbon-mitigation lever.
Academic & Scientific Support
Independent academic research, conducted primarily at the University of Western Australia under an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Program, describes the active component of FTC Decarbonizer as a homogeneous combustion catalyst used at trace concentrations in diesel fuel.
This body of work has been documented in peer-reviewed publications, doctoral research, and conference papers exploring combustion behaviour under controlled engine and dynamometer conditions.
Across independent laboratory testing, academic research, and documented field trials, FTC Decarbonizer has been evaluated using recognised combustion-based measurement methods including Carbon Mass Balance (AS2077), Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC), smoke opacity analysis and exhaust gas profiling, with measurable changes reported under defined test conditions. Outcomes vary depending on engine type, duty cycle, fuel quality, and operating environment.
For detailed independent testing methodology and evidence, see: FTC Decarbonizer Independent Testing & Scientific Evidence .
Fuel Specification Compliance
FTC Decarbonizer has been tested to ASTM standards to confirm that treated diesel remains within fuel specification parameters.
Testing confirmed treated fuel remained within ASTM D975 specification parameters.
Fuel testing using ASTM methodologies was conducted under ISO 9001 quality management systems.
This confirms that combustion optimisation does not alter base fuel specification.
Carbon Footprint Transparency
An ISO 14067-compliant carbon footprint assessment has been completed to quantify the cradle-to-gate embodied emissions of FTC Decarbonizer.
This enables transparent lifecycle carbon accounting when evaluating net operational impact.
Strategic Relevance for Mining Operations
- Diesel cost optimisation
- Mitigation of Scope 1 emissions from combustion
- Potential reduction in ACCU/SMC exposure where applicable
- Improved emissions intensity metrics
- Structured, measurable performance evaluation
Results vary depending on engine type, duty cycle, fuel quality and operating conditions. No guaranteed savings are implied.
Download Executive Brief
Download Mining Executive Board Brief (PDF)
Important notice: performance outcomes vary depending on engine type, duty cycle, fuel quality and operating conditions. No guaranteed savings are implied.
