Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Zero-Impact Emission Technology for Sustainable Mobility

Authors

Y. Chi, B. Shin - Hyundai Motor Company, S. Hoffmann, J. Ulrich - Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center GmbH

Summary

More stringent Greenhouse Gas regulations are being enforced or proposed to ad-dress global warming and climatic catastrophe caused by rising atmospheric CO2. European Commission has proposed, as a part of ‘European Green Deal’, to reduce fleet averaged CO2 emission from new passenger cars registered in 2030 by 55 % (formerly 37.5 %) from that of 2021.

Key strategy of most automakers is to increase share and degree of electrification with Battery and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle as ultimate solutions. Nevertheless, Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) based technology using low and neutral CO2 energy carriers should also be considered as complementary pathway.

Hydrogen (H2) has long been an attractive energy carrier for ICE. It can contribute to realize CO2 neutral mobility because it is carbon free. Far wider flammability limit and higher burning speed than conventional gasoline are main enablers for enhanced efficiency and reduced emission through lean combustion. Moderate effort to convert conventional gasoline and diesel engines to H2 ICE will provide a possibility to strengthen Zero CO2 vehicle portfolio using current ICE line-up and production facility. Synergic effect with FCEV by sharing H2 dedicated parts and charging infrastructure is another benefit.

In this research, series production 4 cylinder 1.6 liter turbocharged gasoline engine is converted to H2 ICE by introducing dedicated parts, such as hydrogen injectors, rail and boosting system. H2 jet visualization and CFD simulation are performed to optimize injector configuration, secure air mass flow and mixture homogeneity crucial for enhanced efficiency and reduced NOx emission. Since it is developed as dedicated engine for hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), combustion system and calibration optimization are focused on medium load between BMEP 9 to 13 bar where engine operation is concentrated….