Ennio Rossi

Test of blends of hydrogen and natural gas in a light duty vehicle

Hydrogen-enriched combustion has been studied by several institutions and companies over the last three decades. The purpose of adding hydrogen to conventional fuels is to extend the lean limit of combustion because hydrogen improves flame stability and allows a lower temperature combustion. Even with stoichiometric mixture, HCNG advantages had been demonstrated, since blends determine a reduction of noxious emissions. In the framework of an EU project called BONG-HY, bench tests with HCNG on a natural gas vehicle had been carried on at ENEA. Results of lab tests show a fair improvement of the efficiency and CO2 emissions as well as an overall improvement regarding local pollutants.

A Hybrid City Car

Mobility in modern metropolitan cities is plagued by overcrowding, producing congestion, low transit speed, fuel consumption, air pollution, and parking problems. One of the causes of these phenomena is the growing market of vehicles of excessive size with respect to their more frequent use. The technological and commercial development of vehicles specifically conceived for urban use, and therefore limited in size, not exuberant in performance, and with low fuel consumption and emissions would certainly be more desirable. Hybrid drive trains are particularly suited to this purpose: properly designed, minimal thermal engines can fit the application, giving an electrical driving option when required. The prototype shown in this article has been specifically conceived to be a city car with a so-called series hybrid traction architecture-being a living example. By combining appropriate and available technologies, modern components, and careful planning, it is possible to achieve results useful for the user and for the community.