World First: Revolutionary Hydrogen Combustion Technology Unveiled for Large Engines

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced today that it has developed a technology that enables stable combustion using only hydrogen as fuel without emitting carbon dioxide in large gas engines with a generating output of 5 MW or more. This technology is a world first.

In reciprocating engines that use hydrogen as fuel, it is common to either reduce output or mix hydrogen with natural gas due to the limitations of hydrogen's combustion characteristics. In this development, by applying this technology to a single-cylinder test machine for electric ignition Kawasaki Green Gas Engines , which have an abundant track record of delivery for power generation, it was confirmed that stable operation is possible even when running on hydrogen alone, while maintaining the same output as when running on natural gas. Going forward, we will continue to optimize and design for product implementation, aiming for commercialization around 2030.

 

 

In order to address environmental issues such as global warming and the depletion of energy resources, we are focusing on the use of hydrogen, which is said to be the ultimate clean energy source that does not produce carbon dioxide when burned. Hydrogen has a faster burning speed and higher burning temperature than natural gas, so there were concerns about the possibility of abnormal combustion and early deterioration due to overheating of combustion chamber parts. By combining the "engine specifications compatible with hydrogen fuel" and "technology to adjust the combustion characteristics of hydrogen"  that we have been working on developing, it is possible to properly control the combustion state according to the desired mixture ratio of hydrogen and natural gas, regardless of whether hydrogen is burned exclusively or in combination, while preventing abnormal combustion and early deterioration.

With an eye on the widespread use of hydrogen energy toward a decarbonized society, we are promoting technological development of the hydrogen supply chain (production, transportation, storage, and use), and in particular, hydrogen gas engines are one of the important products in the "use" field that will greatly contribute to decarbonization in the power generation sector, which accounts for approximately 40 % of Japan's carbon dioxide emissions. Going forward, we will continue to develop further uses of hydrogen energy, including application to our gas engines currently in operation, and contribute to the realization of carbon neutrality.

Source: Fuel Cells Works