Hydrogen and even alcohol (based on methanol) are setting the pace towards the decarbonization of our mobility. However, they are not the only ones showing that there is something beyond EVs. Just this 2024 we have met an engine that has experts in suspense for a curious reason: it has traveled 80 years in time and runs on a futuristic fuel.
New engine
Hydrogen engine began in the history of World War II, It has an interesting introduction that dates until War II. An inverted opposed-piston design was developed by the US engineer Anselm Franz in the 1940s that took hydrogen fuel.
It was world’s first engine of its kind, and its fuel consumption was lower in comparison to the piston engine product models which were widely used at that time. Further it had high power density and reliability. Franz, the inventor, had created a human-driven engine that was quite compact and lightweight for aviation.
Of all fuels considered at that time, hydrogen had probably the highest of energy intensity per weight as the output energy was much higher than the weight of shipped hydrogen. An opposed-piston engine, instead of a radial piston, was the key to the fact that it could be more lightweight and compact.
In 1942, the first 100% hydrogen-powered aircraft successfully flew under Franz, which marked a significant milestone during the war. The prototype of a new-turbo -generator demonstrated its leading role in the development of engines aviation of tomorrow.
Time-traveling hydrogen engine: AchatesPower brings it back 80 years later
Achates Power is a California-based company that has been developing opposed-piston engines since 2004. Opposed-piston engines use two pistons in each cylinder, working in opposite directions. This design provides better thermal efficiency and packaging compared to traditional engines.
Achates has modernized the opposed-piston design by using computer modeling and simulation tools. They have optimized the combustion chamber design and improved performance. Their opposed-piston engines provide up to 30% better fuel efficiency compared to today’s diesel engines.
The opposed-piston design is mechanically simpler, with fewer parts than contemporary engines. This improves reliability and reduces cost. Achates engines do not need complex turbocharger or aftertreatment systems required by modern diesels to meet emissions standards.
By combining the opposed-piston architecture with 21st century materials and computational modeling, Achates has innovated on a decades-old concept. Their opposed-piston engines provide a clean, efficient powertrain technology that is viable for transportation applications today.
Other carmakers that are currently developing a hydrogen engine
The most widely of the major vehicle manufacturers and suppliers are considering to design hydrogen engines instead of the old type of the internal ones. Toyota has been working on a hydrogen combustion engine which is vigorously tested in their prototypes and as a large example, the Mirai.
The BMW Hydrogen has already run ethanol engine prototype and is watching the technology, but it is yet to commit becoming a consumer product. The company has a foresight that hydrogen engines can be used on the larger motors, such as the SUVs and trucks, which have advanced power requirements.
Not only the main manufactures, but also critical auto parts suppliers are developing hydrogen components that would be introduced into cars. Bosch has thus successfully developed hydrogen-injectors, air-flow sensors, and control small units.
The most curious thing about this new hydrogen engine (or not so new, you’ve already seen it) is that it works with such a futuristic concept that we have not even been able to put into practice. How is it possible that 80 years ago we were already talking about this fuel and we have not been able to develop a sufficient network of refueling stations? History is cyclical, but not in mobility, so we are very late in this respect.
