Heavy Duty Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Emissions Development to Achieve Ultra-low NOx

This paper presents the emissions development of a heavy-duty hydrogen internal-combustion engine (H₂ICE) targeting ultra-low NOx with a design goal of 20 mg/hp-hr. The approach integrates advanced thermal management of the engine and aftertreatment, including engine out NOx management through air-fuel ratio controls and an electric heater to accelerate catalyst light-off and sustain activity at low-load/idle conditions. A diesel-derived aftertreatment system (ATS) is selected to maximize practicality and component commonality, and an integrated controls strategy spanning the engine and ATS is implemented to demonstrate ultra-low NOx capability over EPA certification cycles. The paper concludes with considerations for periodic SCR regeneration to ensure emission compliance.