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RENERGI-Fremtidens rene energisystemer

The effect of hydrogen addition to automotive fuels in SI- CI- and HCCI internal combustion engines

Awarded: NOK 2.0 mill.

The effect of adding hydrogen to alternative fuels for transportation is the main objective for this project. This includes studies of how different alternative fuels for Spark Ignition (SI) engines and Compression Ignition (CI) engines, respectively, res ponds to addition of hydrogen in small or larger amounts. The bakground for this approach is the physical and chemical effects of hydrogen, which has shown to may have many positive effects on the combustion processes in internal combustion engines. This includes processes where the hydrogen is the smaller part of the total fuel blend, and where it is mainly used to speed up or optimise the combustion process. In this project, the effect of adding smaller amounts of hydrogen will be invetigated both in SI, CI and HCCI engine processes. In the spark ignition (SI) case, two different engines will be investigated for different Hythane blends, and the limit for the maximum hydrogen content in the fuel will be investigated. In the pure CI (compression ignit ion) case, the hydrogen mixing with either methane or propane will be performed, and this mixture will be injected as one mixture into a diesel engine (CI) process. This concept is already patented by the research group at NTNU together with Statoil. Co nsidering the Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) concept has been widely studied in the past yers, and is eventually developing towards commercialism. The main challenge the researcher face now is how to control the onset of ignition in the HC CI process. This may be done by f.ex. heating of the intake air, EGR, erc. The ability of adjusting the fuel composition is another way to go in other to increase the control of the combustion process. The rapid compression machine DyFo at NTNU may be val uable tool for stuies of the effect of adding hydrogen on the controllability of HCCI using any basis fuel. A co-operation with the university of Chalmers is an important plan of the project.

Funding scheme:

RENERGI-Fremtidens rene energisystemer