Hydrogen—An Alternative Fuel for Automotive Diesel Engines Used in Transportation

Alexandru Cernat, Constantin Pana, Niculae Negurescu, Gheorghe Lazaroiu, Cristian Nutu and Dinu Fuiorescu
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Alexandru Cernat: Department of Thermotechnics, Engines, Thermal and Frigorific Equipment, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Constantin Pana: Department of Thermotechnics, Engines, Thermal and Frigorific Equipment, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Niculae Negurescu: Department of Thermotechnics, Engines, Thermal and Frigorific Equipment, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Gheorghe Lazaroiu: Department of Energy Generation and Use, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Cristian Nutu: Department of Thermotechnics, Engines, Thermal and Frigorific Equipment, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Dinu Fuiorescu: Department of Thermotechnics, Engines, Thermal and Frigorific Equipment, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 22, 1-21

Abstract: Considering the current environmental restrictions, particularly those imposed on fossil fuel exploitation, hydrogen stands out as a very promising alternative for the power and transportation sectors. This paper investigates the effects of the employment of hydrogen in a K9K automotive diesel engine. Experiments were conducted at a speed of 2000 min −1 with various engine load levels of 40%, 55%, 70%, and 85%; several quantities were monitored to evaluate the performance with hydrogen use in terms of brake-specific energetic consumption (BSEC), fuel economy, maximum pressure, and heat-release characteristics. It was found that at 55% engine load, the engine efficiency increased by 5.3% with hydrogen addition, achieving a diesel fuel economy of 1.32 kg/h. The rate of increase of the peak pressure and maximum pressure started to increase as a consequence of the higher fuel quantity that burned in the premixed combustion phase, while still remaining within reliable operational limits. The accelerated combustion and augmented heat release rate resulted in a combustion duration that was reduced by 3° CA (crank angle degree), achieving a mass fraction burned percentage of 10% to 90% earlier in the cycle, and the combustion variability was also influenced. Hydrogen use assured the decrease of CO 2 , HC, NO x , and smoke emission levels in comparison with classic fueling.

Keywords: combustion; diesel engine; hydrogen fuel; efficiency; heat-release rate; mass fraction burned; combustion variability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:22:p:9321-:d:442699

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