Brad Alan Boyer

Electricity Powering Combustion: Hydrogen Engines

Hydrogen is a means to chemically store energy. It can be used to buffer energy in a society increasingly relying on renewable but intermittent energy or as an energy vector for sustainable transportation. It is also attractive for its potential to power vehicles with (near-) zero tailpipe emissions. The use of hydrogen as an energy carrier for transport applications is mostly associated with fuel cells. However, hydrogen can also be used in an internal combustion engine (ICE). When converted to or designed for hydrogen operation, an ICE can attain high power output, high efficiency and ultra low emissions. Also, because of the possibility of bi-fuel operation, the hydrogen engine can act as an accelerator for building up a hydrogen infrastructure. The properties of hydrogen are quite different from the presently used hydrocarbon fuels, which is reflected in the design and operation of a hydrogen fueled ICE (H2ICE). These characteristics also result in more flexibility in engine control strategies and thus more routes for engine optimization. This article describes the most characteristic features of H 2ICEs, the current state of H 2ICE research and demonstration, and the future prospects.

Study of Combustion Anomalies of H2-ICE With External Mixture Formation

Although hydrogen is considered one of the most promising future energy carriers, there are several challenges to achieving a “hydrogen economy,” including finding a practical, efficient, cost-effective end-use device. Using hydrogen as a fuel for internal combustion engines is seen as a bridging technology toward a large-scale hydrogen infrastructure. To facilitate high-efficiency, high-power-density use of hydrogen with near-zero emissions in an internal combustion engine, detailed analysis of the hydrogen combustion process is necessary. This paper presents thermodynamic results regarding engine performance and emissions behavior during investigations performed on a single-cylinder research engine fueled by pressurized gaseous hydrogen. Avoiding combustion anomalies is one of the necessary steps to further improve the hydrogen engine power output at high-load operation while, at the same time, reducing fuel consumption and emissions during part-load operation. The overall target of the investigations is an improved combustion concept especially designed for hydrogen-engine-powered vehicles. Future activities include performing optical imaging of hydrogen combustion by using an endoscope. We will also investigate supercharged external mixture formation, as well as hydrogen direct-injection operation.Copyright