An Experimental Study for Large Output Power and Near Zero-Emission by Using a Small Hydrogen Fuelled IC Engine with Direct Injection, Spark Ignition, Super-charging and No Exhaust Gas Catalyst After-treatment

  • Kenji Nakagawa, Hydrogen Energy Research Center(HERC),Musashi Institute of Technology, Japan
  • Prof Kimitaka Yamane, Hydrogen Energy Research Center(HERC),Musashi Institute of Technology, Japan
  • Dr Takashi Kondo, Hydrogen Energy Research Center(HERC),Musashi Institute of Technology, Japan
  • Dr Tetsuya Ohira, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan

    • Objective:To demonstrate by the experimental study that hydrogen fuelled engines with direct injection and super-charging are promising for automobile engines better than gasoline fuelled ones in respect of, of-course CO2, exhaust gas emissions and large output power.

    Methods: Engine bench experiments with a small engine fueled only by hydrogen in lean mixture for a passenger car with 660 cc total stroke-volume, direct injection, super-charging with the pressure ratio up to 2 and no exhaust gas catalyst after-treatment was carried out. The hydrogen pressure of the direct injection was 7 MPa. The injection was made just after the intake valve closed.

    Results: The maximum effective thermal efficiency of 35 % was obtained with NOx emission 10 ppm and the brake mean effective pressure of 1 MPa at engine speed of 2000 rpm. It is found that the pressure ratio of the super-charging did not largely influence the generation of NOx in the exhaust gas. It is also found that the NOx concentration was rather influenced by the mixture ratio.

    Conclusions: Hydrogen fuelled engines with direct injection and super-charging are promising for automobile engines better than gasoline fuelled ones in respect of, of-course CO2, exhaust gas emissions and large output power.
    A small super-charging device is eagerly wanted for such a small engine.