Simulation of the Hydrogen Railway Engine Performance Under Different Load Conditions and Control Parameters

Petro Dumenko (), Andriy Prokhorenko and Ruslans Smigins ()
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Petro Dumenko: Digas Ltd., Matisa Str. 69A-22, LV-1009 Riga, Latvia
Andriy Prokhorenko: Digas Ltd., Matisa Str. 69A-22, LV-1009 Riga, Latvia
Ruslans Smigins: Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, J. Cakstes Blvd 5, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-18

Abstract: The article examines the use of hydrogen fuel as an alternative to traditional diesel fuel for internal combustion engines (ICE) in railway applications. The main objective of the study is to analyze the operational consumption of hydrogen fuel based on the mathematical modeling of the working cycle of the EMD 12-645E3C engine installed on CIE 071 locomotives used in freight and passenger service. The article provides information on the design features of the EMD 12-645E3C engine, its technical parameters, and the results of bench tests. The indicator parameters of the engine at various controller positions are determined and analyzed, and the results of mathematical modeling of its operation on hydrogen fuel are presented. Particular attention is paid to changes in indicator parameters, including the maximum combustion pressure and the peak gas temperature in the cylinder, as well as comparing the mass consumption of diesel and hydrogen fuel. The study results demonstrate that the use of hydrogen allows the engine to maintain effective power across all operational modes while simultaneously reducing energy costs up to 8%. In this case, the pressure and temperature of the gases in the cylinder increased by 3–6% and 5–8%. Recommendations are also provided regarding technical challenges associated with transitioning to hydrogen fuel, including the modernization of the combustion chamber, fuel system, and safety system.

Keywords: hydrogen; railway; engine; performance; load; simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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