IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v14y2021i20p6504-d653410.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Comprehensive Overview of Hydrogen-Fueled Internal Combustion Engines: Achievements and Future Challenges

Author

Listed:
  • Zbigniew Stępień

    (Oil and Gas Institute—National Research Institute, 31-503 Kraków, Poland)

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive review and critical analysis of the latest research results in addition to an overview of the future challenges and opportunities regarding the use of hydrogen to power internal combustion engines (ICEs). The experiences and opinions of various international research centers on the technical possibilities of using hydrogen as a fuel in ICE are summarized. The advantages and disadvantages of the use of hydrogen as a solution are described. Attention is drawn to the specific physical, chemical, and operational properties of hydrogen for ICEs. A critical review of hydrogen combustion concepts is provided, drawing on previous research results and experiences described in a number of research papers. Much space is devoted to discussing the challenges and opportunities associated with port and direct hydrogen injection technology. A comparison of different fuel injection and ignition strategies and the benefits of using the synergies of selected solutions are presented. Pointing to the previous experiences of various research centers, the hazards related to incorrect hydrogen combustion, such as early pre-ignition, late pre-ignition, knocking combustion, and backfire, are described. Attention is focused on the fundamental importance of air ratio optimization from the point of view of combustion quality, NOx emissions, engine efficiency, and performance. Exhaust gas scrubbing to meet future emission regulations for hydrogen powered internal combustion engines is another issue that is considered. The article also discusses the modifications required to adapt existing engines to run on hydrogen. Referring to still-unsolved problems, the reliability challenges faced by fuel injection systems, in particular, are presented. An analysis of more than 150 articles shows that hydrogen is a suitable alternative fuel for spark-ignition engines. It will significantly improve their performance and greatly reduce emissions to a fraction of their current level. However, its use also has some drawbacks, the most significant of which are its high NOx emissions and low power output, and problems in terms of the durability and reliability of hydrogen-fueled engines.

Suggested Citation

  • Zbigniew Stępień, 2021. "A Comprehensive Overview of Hydrogen-Fueled Internal Combustion Engines: Achievements and Future Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-26, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:20:p:6504-:d:653410
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/20/6504/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/20/6504/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kleijn, Rene & van der Voet, Ester, 2010. "Resource constraints in a hydrogen economy based on renewable energy sources: An exploration," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(9), pages 2784-2795, December.
    2. Chintala, Venkateswarlu & Subramanian, K.A., 2017. "A comprehensive review on utilization of hydrogen in a compression ignition engine under dual fuel mode," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 472-491.
    3. M. Faizal & L. S. Chuah & C. Lee & A. Hameed & J. Lee & M. Shankar, 2019. "Review Of Hydrogen Fuel For Internal Combustion Engines," Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research & Developments (JMERD), Zibeline International Publishing, vol. 42(3), pages 35-46, April.
    4. Saravanan, N. & Nagarajan, G., 2010. "Performance and emission studies on port injection of hydrogen with varied flow rates with Diesel as an ignition source," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(7), pages 2218-2229, July.
    5. Saxena, R.C. & Seal, Diptendu & Kumar, Satinder & Goyal, H.B., 2008. "Thermo-chemical routes for hydrogen rich gas from biomass: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 12(7), pages 1909-1927, September.
    6. Mazloomi, Kaveh & Gomes, Chandima, 2012. "Hydrogen as an energy carrier: Prospects and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(5), pages 3024-3033.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. M. Faizal & L. S. Chuah & C. Lee & A. Hameed & J. Lee & M. Shankar, 2019. "Review Of Hydrogen Fuel For Internal Combustion Engines," Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research & Developments (JMERD), Zibeline International Publishing, vol. 42(3), pages 35-46, April.
    2. Fayaz, H. & Saidur, R. & Razali, N. & Anuar, F.S. & Saleman, A.R. & Islam, M.R., 2012. "An overview of hydrogen as a vehicle fuel," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(8), pages 5511-5528.
    3. Nasir Uddin, Md. & Daud, W.M.A. Wan & Abbas, Hazim F., 2013. "Potential hydrogen and non-condensable gases production from biomass pyrolysis: Insights into the process variables," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 204-224.
    4. Behdad Shadidi & Gholamhassan Najafi & Talal Yusaf, 2021. "A Review of Hydrogen as a Fuel in Internal Combustion Engines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-20, September.
    5. Burton, N.A. & Padilla, R.V. & Rose, A. & Habibullah, H., 2021. "Increasing the efficiency of hydrogen production from solar powered water electrolysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    6. Chintala, V. & Subramanian, K.A., 2015. "Experimental investigations on effect of different compression ratios on enhancement of maximum hydrogen energy share in a compression ignition engine under dual-fuel mode," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 448-462.
    7. Chintala, V. & Subramanian, K.A., 2017. "Experimental investigation of autoignition of hydrogen-air charge in a compression ignition engine under dual-fuel mode," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 197-209.
    8. Lee, Boreum & Park, Junhyung & Lee, Hyunjun & Byun, Manhee & Yoon, Chang Won & Lim, Hankwon, 2019. "Assessment of the economic potential: COx-free hydrogen production from renewables via ammonia decomposition for small-sized H2 refueling stations," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1-1.
    9. Navas-Anguita, Zaira & García-Gusano, Diego & Iribarren, Diego, 2019. "A review of techno-economic data for road transportation fuels," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 11-26.
    10. Dixon, Christopher & Reynolds, Steve & Rodley, David, 2016. "Micro/small wind turbine power control for electrolysis applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(P1), pages 182-192.
    11. Burra, K.G. & Hussein, M.S. & Amano, R.S. & Gupta, A.K., 2016. "Syngas evolutionary behavior during chicken manure pyrolysis and air gasification," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 408-415.
    12. Ji, Changwei & Wang, Shuofeng & Zhang, Bo, 2012. "Performance of a hybrid hydrogen–gasoline engine under various operating conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 584-589.
    13. Fukunaga, Akihiko & Kato, Asami & Hara, Yuki & Matsumoto, Takaya, 2023. "Dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane using solid oxide fuel cell – A smart energy conversion," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).
    14. Aleksandra Besser & Jan K. Kazak & Małgorzata Świąder & Szymon Szewrański, 2019. "A Customized Decision Support System for Renewable Energy Application by Housing Association," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-16, August.
    15. Serrano, J. & Jiménez-Espadafor, F.J. & López, A., 2019. "Analysis of the effect of the hydrogen as main fuel on the performance of a modified compression ignition engine with water injection," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 911-925.
    16. Michail Cheliotis & Evangelos Boulougouris & Nikoletta L Trivyza & Gerasimos Theotokatos & George Livanos & George Mantalos & Athanasios Stubos & Emmanuel Stamatakis & Alexandros Venetsanos, 2021. "Review on the Safe Use of Ammonia Fuel Cells in the Maritime Industry," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-20, May.
    17. Muhammad Aziz, 2021. "Liquid Hydrogen: A Review on Liquefaction, Storage, Transportation, and Safety," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-29, September.
    18. Elshkaki, Ayman & Graedel, T.E., 2015. "Solar cell metals and their hosts: A tale of oversupply and undersupply," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 167-177.
    19. Ye, Yang & Yue, Yi & Lu, Jianfeng & Ding, Jing & Wang, Weilong & Yan, Jinyue, 2021. "Enhanced hydrogen storage of a LaNi5 based reactor by using phase change materials," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 734-743.
    20. Ye, Yang & Ding, Jing & Wang, Weilong & Yan, Jinyue, 2021. "The storage performance of metal hydride hydrogen storage tanks with reaction heat recovery by phase change materials," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:20:p:6504-:d:653410. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.