Ford P2000 Hydrogen Engine Dynamometer Development

As part of the P2000 hydrogen fueled internal combustion engine (H2ICE) vehicle program, an engine dynamometer research project was conducted in order to systematically investigate the unique hydrogen related combustion characteristics cited in the literature. These characteristics include pre-ignition, NOx emissions formation and control, volumetric efficiency of gaseous fuel injection and related power density, thermal efficiency, and combustion control. To undertake this study, several dedicated, hydrogen-fueled spark ignition engines (compression ratios: 10, 12.5, 14.5 and 15.3:1) were designed and built. Engine dynamometer development testing was conducted at the Ford Research Laboratory and the University of California at Riverside.

This engine dynamometer work also provided the mapping data and control strategy needed to develop the engine in the P2000 vehicle. Three strategies of operation for the hydrogen engine are discussed: constant fuel-air ratio, un-throttled induction and a combination of the two.