Potentials of a Charged SI-Hydrogen Engine

The hydrogen internal combustion engine offers the opportunity to achieve similar performance and comfort characteristics as a conventional gasoline fuelled engine. In order to improve power density and vehicle range new ways in engine design and in charging hydrogen engines were investigated.

The engine used for the discussed test series was a specially designed single-cylinder engine with external and internal mixture formation and a flexible charging system allowing to simulate different charging methods. Thermodynamic analysis as well as CFD-simulation were used to optimise engine design and operation strategy. Engine operation at high loads was investigated and operation strategies were developed for low fuel consumption and extremely low NOx emissions. At full load operation, engine loads over 18 bar indicated mean effective pressure were achieved.