Full load optimization of a hydrogen fuelled industrial engine

Abstract

There are a large number of applications in which hydrogen internal combustion engines represent a sensible alternative to battery electric propulsion systems and to fuel cell electric propulsion systems. The main advantages of combustion engines are their high degree of robustness and low manufacturing costs. No critical raw materials are required for production and there are highly developed production plants worldwide. A CO 2 -free operation is possible when using hydrogen as a fuel. The formation of nitrogen oxides during hydrogen combustion in the engine can be effectively mitigated by a lean-burn combustion process. However, achieving low NO x raw emissions conflicts with achieving high power yields. In this work, a series industrial diesel engine was converted for hydrogen operation and comprehensive engine tests were carried out. Various measures to improve the trade-off between NO x emissions and performance were investigated and evaluated. The rated power output and the maximum torque of the series diesel engine could be exceeded while maintaining an indicated specific NO x emission of 1 g/kWh along the entire full load curve. In the low-end-torque range, however, the gap to the full load curve of the series diesel engine could not be fully closed with the hardware used. • Converted hydrogen engine exceeds the rated power output and the maximum torque of the series diesel engine. • Indicated specific NO x raw emissions at full load in the entire speed range are less than 1 g/kWh. • Indicated thermal efficiency map is similar to that of the series diesel engine. • Minimum modifications to the series diesel engine hardware.

Topics & Concepts