Performance of a Common-rail Type High Pressure up to 10 to 20 MPa Hydrogen Gas Injector Developed for DI Hydrogen Fueled Engines

  • Masakuni Oikawa, Hydrogen Energy Research Center (HERC), Musashi Institute of Technology, Japan
  • Miss Mai Nogami, Hydrogen Energy Research Center (HERC), Musashi Institute of Technology, Japan
  • Dr Takashi Kondo, Hydrogen Energy Research Center (HERC), Musashi Institute of Technology, Japan
  • Prof Kimitaka Yamane, Hydrogen Energy Research Center (HERC), Musashi Institute of Technology, Japan
  • Prof＆Dr Yasuo Takagi, Hydrogen Energy Research Center (HERC), Musashi Institute of Technology, Japan
  • Dr Yoshio Sato, National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory (NTSEL), Japan
  • Dr Atsuhiro Kawamura, National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory (NTSEL), Japan
  • Dr Yuichi Goto, National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory (NTSEL), Japan

    • Objective:To demonstrate experimentally that the common-rail type high pressure hydrogen injector developed at HERC of Musashi Institute of Technology has a high response with which the hydrogen at 10 to 20 MPa could be directly injected into the combustion chamber in such a short time as about 30 degrees crank angle at engine speed of 3000 rpm and, thanks to the high response, multiple injection could be made so that the combustion could be controlled for better engine performance.
    Methods: The common-rail system was applied to a high pressure hydrogen gas injector to actuate the needle valve. A single test rig was used to study the injection characteristics such as the injection flow rate, the needle valve movements and the lift of the needle valve and the leakage of hydrogen from the valve seat. And also, a single cylinder engine with 1-liter stroke volume was used to demonstrate the injector could work properly in actual engine conditions and control the engine combustion for better engine performance.
    Results: The injector showed a very swift movement so that the whole injection ended within about 30 degrees crank angle even at 3000 rpm. Thanks to the common-rail system actuated electro-hydraulically, it was found that the injection could take place at anytime wanted and multi-times, resulting in better engine performance.
    Conclusions; This injector will pave the way to advanced hydrogen fuelled engines. And it is expected to install the injectors on multi-cylinder engines.