Hydrogen: An Alternative fuel for IC engine

Hydrogen: An Alternative fuel for IC engine 

Hydrogen has been researched for years as an alternative fuel for internal combustion engine because of its simple and clean reaction, high energy density, wide ignition range and high burning velocity. The first hydrogen internal combustion was designed in 1806 by Francois Isaac de Rivaz. Tokyo City University has been developing a hydrogen internal combustion engine since 1970. They have recently developed a hydrogen fueled bus and truck. Some motor companies have also developed cars which use hydrogen as fuel for internal combustion engine. Mazda has developed RX-8 that runs a Wenkel rotary engine which uses hydrogen as a fuel. 

Mazda RX-8 

BMW Hydrogen 7 

Similarly, BMW Hydrogen 7 and Aston Martin Rapide S also run on hydrogen.

But some properties of hydrogen limit its use in IC engine. They are:

Hydrogen remains a gas even at a much lower temperature (that is -253C) whereas other petroleum fuels are liquid at room temperature. Its flammability limit range of equivalence ratios over which the engine system is operable. Auto ignition temperature and minimum ignition energy are some of the properties that determine the suitability of fuel for engine application.

Using hydrogen as a fuel for internal combustion engine has some advantages and some disadvantages also.

Advantages of Hydrogen

1.        Hydrogen is renewable in nature. The combustion of hydrogen produces water (H₂O) which can be again converted into hydrogen through various hydrogen producing methods.

2.             Combustion of Hydrogen in IC engine produces low emission of NO_X. It is considered as cleanest fuel.

3.                 It can be produced from variety of feed stock.

4.                 It requires low ignition energy.

5.                 It has superior combustion characteristics.

Disadvantages of Hydrogen

1.                 High inflammability lends an explosive quality to the fuel-air mixture.

2.                 Leak detection of H₂ is difficult as it is odorless and colorless.

3.                 Pre-ignition occurs when the cylinder charge ignites before the spark.

4.                 Back fires when the flame travels back to the fuel induction system.

5.                 Production of hydrogen is expensive due to limited quantity.