A hydrogen-fueled V-8 engine for city-bus application 2000-05-0088
Hydrogen is seen as one of the important energy vectors of the
next century. Hydrogen as a renewable energy source, provides the
potential for a sustainable development particularly in the
transportation sector. Hydrogen-driven vehicles reduce both local
as well as global emissions.
The laboratory of transport technology (University of Gent)
converted a General Motors Corporation/Crusader V-8 engine for
hydrogen use. Once the engine is optimized, it will be built in a
low-floor midsize hydrogen city bus for public demonstration.
For a complete control of the combustion process and to increase
the resistance to backfire (explosion of the air-fuel mixture in
the inlet manifold), a sequential timed multipoint injection of
hydrogen and an electronic management system is chosen. The results
as a function of the engine parameters (ignition timing, injection
timing and duration, injection pressure) are given.
Special focus is given to topics related to the use of hydrogen
as a fuel: ignition characteristics (importance of electrode
distance), quality of the lubricating oil (crankcase gases with
high contents of hydrogen) oxygen sensors (very lean operating
conditions), noise reduction (configuration and length of inlet
pipes). The advantages and disadvantages of a power regulation only
by the air-to-fuel ratio (as for diesel engines) against a throttle
regulation (normal gasoline or gas regulation) are examined.
Finally the goals of the development of the engine are reached:
power output of 90 kW, torque of 300 Nm, extremely low emission
levels and backfire- safe operation.