HYDROGEN-FUELED DIESEL-ENGINE - PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT THROUGH CHARGE DILUTION TECHNIQUES

An experimental investigation was carried out to explore, through various charge diluents, the possibility of improving the performance, percentage hydrogen energy substitution and knock-limited power output of au hydrogen-fuelled diesel engine. In the experiments, use was made of au single cylinder, water-cooled, direct-injection type small horsepower diesel engine. Helium as diluent was found to control the engine knock, but the thermal efficiency and percentage optimum hydrogen energy substitution exhibited no positive gain. Nitrogen showed the best influence on engine performance and knock-limited power output improvement. Water induction, in small concentrations, demonstrated the highest percentage full-load hydrogen energy substitution, although the engine thermal efficiency and knock-limited power output were marginally affected.