[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_heading title=”Hydrogen and diesel hybrid engine testing” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]Since the 1970’s, researchers have been creating hybrid hydrogen and diesel engines. In 2022, engineers from UNSW Sydney successfully retrofitted a diesel engine to run as a hydrogen-diesel hybrid engine at an incredible ratio of 90% hydrogen to 10% diesel by energy fraction.<\/p>\n
Compared to conventional diesel engines, hybrid hydrogen-diesel engines, also referred to as HHO and diesel hybrid engines, offer advantages such as:<\/p>\n
Additionally, compared to 100% hydrogen engines, HHO-diesel hybrid engines are easier to mass produce as any existing diesel engine can be easily modified into a HHO-diesel hybrid engine. Moreover, when combined with batteries or external electric charging, hydrogen diesel hybrids can generate hydrogen onboard using electrolysis, eliminating the need for an external hydrogen fuel source, only requiring a supply of pure water and electricity.<\/p>\n
Alicat’s mass flow controllers and pressure controllers are used in research studies to increase the efficiency of diesel hydrogen engines and hydrogen injection, such as in a study<\/a> at the University of Politehnica of Bucharest<\/a> (UPB). In particular, Alicat’s mass flow controllers can be used to supply a controlled flow of hydrogen into the injection system while Alicat’s pressure transducers can be used to measure pressure within the combustion chamber.<\/p>\n Typical diesel engine hydrogen injection components include separate diesel and hydrogen supply tanks, pumps, mass flow controllers, injectors, pressure transducers, water-heaters (for stabilizing chamber temperature conditions), surge tanks, PLC or computer systems, and gas analyzers.<\/p>\n Operating conditions for the HHO-diesel hybrid engine design with the 90-10% hydrogen to diesel injection mix include:<\/p>\n In HHO-diesel engine test stand experiments, Alicat’s mass flow controllers such as MC-Series<\/a> or CODA KC-Series<\/a> are able to precisely control the inlet injection flow rates of hydrogen in order to ensure correct chamber mixing ratios across ranges of engine loads.<\/p>\n Combined with a PLC or a computer for automation, Alicat’s mass flow controllers adjust in milliseconds to desired setpoints, allowing for accurate flow rate monitoring and adjustments to determine precise measurements of engine operating conditions such as emissions levels, NOX<\/sub> levels, exhaust temperatures, fuel cyclic quantities, combustion rates, etc.<\/p>\n MC-Series features and specs:<\/p>\nHHO-Diesel engine system components and operating conditions<\/h2>\n
\n
Flow regulation for hydrogen injection<\/h2>\n