Alternative fuels

MEE 1012

Lalit Kumar Bansal

Assistant Professor (Sr.)
SMEC
Room Number: SJT Annexe 302Q
Hydrogen IC Engines
 Hydrogen Engines

• In 1807, Isaac de Rivaz constructed the first hydrogen – oxygen mixture powered internal combustion
engine.

• Next attempt to develop a hydrogen engine was reported by Reverend W. Cecil in 1820.

• The engine operated on the principle of vacuum engine where vacuum was created by the expansion and
cooling of burning hydrogen-air mixture.

• Later, Otto used syngas for fuel (having 50% hydrogen).

 Combustive Properties
• Flammability – can run on lean mixtures. Hydrogen can be combusted in a wide range of air – fuel
mixtures (4% – 74%).

• High autoignition temperature (500oC) – higher compression ratio can be used as compared to a gasoline
engine.

• Small quenching distance – distance from the cylinder wall where the flame extinguishes. Hydrogen has
a small quenching distance (0.6 mm) as compared to gasoline (2 mm) making it difficult to quench the
flame. This can result in backfire.

• High flame speed – at stoichiometric air – fuel ratio, combusting hydrogen has flame speed which is at
least twice to that in gasoline engine. Thus, hydrogen engines most closely resemble the
thermodynamically ideal engine cycle.

• High diffusivity – hydrogen can easily diffuse in combustion chamber thereby uniform combustion and
similarly in air thereby reducing the risks from hydrogen leaks.

• Low density – low power output.

 Pre-Ignition

• Pre-ignition is a very serious issue in hydrogen fuelled engines.

• This is due to low ignition energy, wider flammability range and short quenching distance.

• Pre-ignition may be due to the presence of hot spots in the combustion chamber.

• Pre-ignition can be avoided by

• using direct injection system. The power out of hydrogen DI engine is 20% more than that in a
gasoline engine.

• using exhaust gas recirculation system. Exhaust gas reduce the temperature of the hot spots.
 Ignition
• Since igniting hydrogen is easy, gasoline ignition systems can be used.

• Spark plugs should have a cold rating. Cold rating plug cools faster by quickly transferring heat from
the plug tip to the cylinder.

• Spark plugs should not have platinum tips as platinum acts as a catalyst resulting in hydrogen oxidation
with air.

• Low turbulence combustion chambers can be used – beneficial for the engine efficiency.

Courtesy: NGK spark plugs

 Crankcase ventilation
• Similar to gasoline engine, unburnt hydrogen can seep by the piston rings and enter the crankcase.

• This seeped – in fuel can ignite due to hydrogen’s low ignition energy.

• If hydrogen does ignite inside the crankcase, pressure relief valve must be installed in crankcase to
release sudden increase in pressure.

• Exhaust containing water can also seep through into the crankcase decreasing the cranlcase oil
lubrication stability.
 Thermal Efficiency
• Efficiency of an Otto cycle engine is based on the compression ration and specific heat ration:

𝟏
𝜂𝒕𝒉 = 𝟏 − 𝒓𝛾−𝟏 where 𝒓 = 𝑽𝟏ൗ𝑽𝟐

• Due to high autoignition temperature, chances of knocking are less compared to that of gasoline engine.
 Emissions
• Combustion of hydrogen with oxygen produces water however, with air, NOx is also produced.

• This is due to high temperature generated during the combustion process

 Hydrogen – Gas mixtures
• Hydrogen is commonly mixed with high pressure natural gas. One such mixture containing 20%
hydrogen and 80% natural gas is called Hythane.

• At the aforementioned ratio, no engine modifications ae required and there is a 20% decrease in
emissions.

• Emissions can be further reduced by increasing the hydrogen percentage but that will require engine
modifications.

• Hydrogen – gas mixtures allows combustion of lean mixtures. Lean mixtures of only natural gas are
hard to ignite resulting in misfire. This problem can be overcome due to low ignition energy limit of
hydrogen. Thus, reducing the harmful emissions.

• Hydrogen can also be used in conjunction with other liquid fuels. Hydrogen tanks can be attached into
the unused spaces.

• Thus, during hydrogen unavailability, engine can run on the liquid fuel.
 Hydrogen – Gas mixtures
• Advantages:
• Requires only hydrogen and a column for mixing it with natural gas at existing CNG plant.

• Hythane is safer to use as it contains small amount of hydrogen.

• Reduction in unburnt hydrocarbon emissions.

• Better fuel and thermal efficiency which lowers the fuel consumption.

• Disadvantages
• Hythane storage and supply infrastructure is a big challenge.

• Material compatibility needs to taken care of.

• Emissions testing needs to be for various hydrogen – natural gas ratios.

 Limitations of hydrogen
• Has low energy compared to gasoline of the same volume.

• Serious operational problems related to uncontrolled pre-ignition and backfiring.

• There is always inherent risk involved with hydrogen operation.

• Materials compatibility with hydrogen needs to be taken care of.

• Increased operational durability problems with lubricants.

 Hydrogen IC engines powered Cars
• BMW 750hl

• BMW Hydrogen 7

• Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid

• MINI Hatch/Cooper “Clean Energy”