Computational Modelling and Analysis of Hydrogen Combustion in Internal Combustion Engines

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Context of Research:Most countries around the world have promised to act against the increasingly worrying issue of global warming. This has primarily manifested itself as anti-carbon legislation.Naturally, as transport accounts for a very considerable fraction of the global emissions, it has been set very ambitious goals. The main concern in this sector is the global calling for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) to be exclusively sold from years ~2035 and ~2050, for light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles respectively. This trend is expected to only continue as international pressures increase.Currently, there are two powertrain solutions that are generally considered to be the answer to the set challenge of 'ZEV': Battery Electric (BE) and Hydrogen (H2) Fuel Cell Hybrid.However, both of those powertrains raise challenging concerns which question the feasibility of their mass-scale adoption. BE: long charging times, range anxiety, expensive, high emission from the manufacture, lack of infrastructure, un-proved long term reliability, currently no answer to the after-life utilisation. H2 Fuel Cell Hybrid: solves the charging time and range anxiety of the BE, however, it also inherits all the other concerns though much more severely. Even though current research focuses on mitigating these issues, it is very much possible that implementable solutions to these problems will not be developed within the set timeframe.The utilisation of current internal combustion engine (ICE) based hybrid powertrain systems with zero-carbon energy carrier that is H2, has the potential to deliver a widely adaptable (by industry and customers) 'ZEV' within the set timeframe. This is primarily because H2-ICE is an evolution, rather than a revolution as is the case in the aforementioned powertrains. The comparable disadvantages of H2-ICE are: lower tank to wheel efficiency of ~30% compared to fuel cell's 35%, and nitrous oxides (NOx) production which would have to be mitigated in order to comply with the 'ZEV' standards. However, one of the most notable advantages are: comparably little to no increase of powertrain cost compared to traditional powertrains and superior Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), already achieved global warming potential (GWP) parity with fuel cells as well as the possibility of lower GWP than a BE in the future, able to operate on impure H2 with no detriments, minimal, well understood and controlled system deterioration over time, more reliable especially in harsh environments, better packaging, higher efficiency at high loads, already well implemented after life utilisation and minimal use of precious metals.Aim: Develop New Modelling and Experimental Insight into the Challenges and Technology Requirements for the Use of H2 Fuel in Internal Combustion Engines.Objectives:Obj. 1: Understand and evaluate the limitations and shortcomings of current H2 ICE modelling techniques.Obj. 2: Advance the understanding of combustion and related phenomena (e.g. mixture preparation and heat transfer) in H2 ICEs.Obj. 3: Advance H2 ICE modelling techniques, in identified appropriate sectors.Obj. 4: Computationally optimise the combustion process and related phenomena in H2 ICE for efficiency and NOx emissions.Obj. 5: Utilise experimental data for validation and to achieve other objectives.Application and Benefits:Results of this project could be directly utilised in the development of commercial zero-carbon ICEs, which could provide environmentally and financially sustainable propulsion for a wide range of vehicles.Research Council:This project is partially sponsored by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and is incorporated into the "Hydrogen and alternative energy vectors" research area, specifically as "steps towards the application of clean hydrogen technologies in transport" focus, for which £26,785,769 was invested as of October 2021.