Sustainable mobility is reaching new heights, with renewable fuels and others that are on their way to becoming so, such as synthetic fuels. However, we wanted to focus on an invention that has come to revolutionize the sector, with the first non-polluting combustion engine that destroys EVs. Best of all, it only emits water vapor and has unprecedented power.
The combustion engine, as pollutant as we think? Maybe it has changed
The idea that hydrogen fuel – an alternative to both electricity and internal combustion engine powered cars – has great potential certainly arouses curiosity. Hydrogen has the posibility of providing the same zero emissions as electric vehicles but high horsepower as they require for internal combustion engines.
During the utilization of hydrogen as a fuel (in I.C.E. engines), an engine is used which takes in hydrogen and oxygen and utilizes them for power generation. Anything from the tail-pipe is water vapor being the only exhaust product from it. This enables hydrogen engines to be seen as Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV).
Hydrogen emits greater energy density than batteries as a result of which the travel range is not sacrificed which in turn is equal to that of gasoline cars. it is a major advantage that what usually takes minutes (recharging electric vehicle), takes a few only (filling the hydrogen tank).
Suggesting hydrogen engines can achieve reliable enough horsepower and are suitable for competition through increasingly efficient and very powerful engine designs. Firms have now created prototypes of the hydrogen engine producing more than 400 horsepower on a 2-liter engine.
This is the first non-polluting combustion engine, with this futuristic fuel
Austrian family business and engineering firm AVL recently presented its innovative 414 horsepower hydrogen engine prototype for a 2.0 liter ICE which sets a benchmark in the field. The hydrogen combustion, involving this high-powered engine, makes clear that hydrogen might one day supplant conventional gasoline engines.
The propulsion system is based on an astounding 207 horsepower per liter from an an inline-4 cylinder design with a 2.0 liter displacement. In comparison to the current highest performance production gasoline engines that can achieve as much as 100-150 hp per liter, the frequency converter is a phenomenal mechanical system.
This prototype delivers up the 295 ft-lbs of torque with the 7,000 rpm of a rev. The motor is lightweight and fit with direct injection, making it unique as it only depends on pure hydrogen gas and no gasoline when operating. The company for AC Drive claims to achieve a thermal efficiency of over 38%.
The hydrogen engine everyone was waiting for: goodbye to EVs with this new prototype
The most striking advantage of hydrogen internal combustion engines is their ultra-low emissions profile. Unlike gasoline or diesel engines which emit harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide, unburnt hydrocarbons, and particulate matter, hydrogen engines essentially only emit water vapor.
This is because hydrogen fuel burns cleanly without any carbon emissions. The only byproducts are water and small quantities of nitrogen oxides. Studies have shown hydrogen engines can achieve NOx emissions 50-90% lower than conventional engines.
In addition to zero carbon emissions, hydrogen engines also benefit from higher thermal efficiency compared to traditional internal combustion engines. The simple molecular structure of hydrogen enables more complete combustion and better energy extraction from the fuel.
The combined benefits of zero emissions and improved efficiency make hydrogen combustion an extremely promising technology for sustainable transportation. More development is still needed, but hydrogen engines could one day offer guilt-free horsepower.
As you can see, this new non-polluting combustion engine proves that ICEs will not always be polluting, so EVs will not be the only option for the future. In fact, hydrogen is strengthening its path towards becoming the most renewable solution, not only during the circulation of vehicles, but also during the production phase, something not seen until now.