Engineers at UNSW Discover Diesel Engines Can Run on Hydrogen-Diesel Fuel Mix

Chemistry

Engineers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have developed an innovative dual-fuel injection system that enables diesel engines to run on a hydrogen-diesel hybrid fuel, with hydrogen making up 90% of the mixture. This groundbreaking discovery has the potential to transform the transportation, agriculture, and mining industries by significantly reducing carbon emissions and improving efficiency.

The engineering team led by Professor Shawn Kook found that the new H2DDI hybrid system can be retrofitted to any diesel engine within a few months. This makes it a viable option for lorries and power equipment currently in use in various industries. The new system reduces carbon emissions by over 85%, making it a much cleaner alternative to traditional diesel engines.

One of the challenges of using hydrogen as a fuel source in engines has been the production of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, a major cause of air pollution and acid rain. However, the UNSW engineers have found a solution by making the hydrogen mixture stratified within the engine, effectively reducing NOx emissions below that of a pure diesel engine.

Moreover, the H2DDI system does not require high-purity hydrogen, which is more expensive to produce and typically used in alternative hydrogen fuel cell systems. This makes the hydrogen-diesel hybrid engine more cost-effective and accessible. The engineers found an efficiency improvement of over 26% in the diesel-hydrogen hybrid engine compared to existing diesel engines.

The UNSW team installed a hydrogen direct injector in an automotive-size inline single-cylinder diesel engine and controlled the timing of hydrogen direct injection independently. This control allowed them to address the issue of harmful nitrogen oxide emissions, a significant barrier for commercializing hydrogen engines.

Tests conducted on the hybrid dual-fuel system-powered engine showed promising results in terms of power output, efficiency, combustion, and engine-out emissions. These findings indicate that the hydrogen-diesel hybrid engine could become a game-changer in the quest for more sustainable fuel sources and cleaner energy solutions.

As the world seeks to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and transition to greener energy sources, the UNSW engineers’ breakthrough could have a major impact on industries currently reliant on diesel engines. By retrofitting existing engines with the H2DDI system, companies can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

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