Scientists from the Krakow University of Technology have adapted an internal combustion engine to run on hydrogen

The topic related to hydrogen-powered engines has been present at the university for over 40 years. A hydrogen-fueled piston engine was publicly presented on January 29 at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

The solution was developed by a team of scientists from the Department of Automotive Vehicles at the Cracow University of Technology, led by Prof. Marek Brzeżański.

Hydrogen engine – a solution developed for years at the Cracow University of Technology

As Prof. Marek Brzeziński explains, their university has extensive experience in research aimed at using hydrogen as a fuel in internal combustion engines.

As part of the “Utilization of Waste Hydrogen for Energy Purposes” program, implemented under the POIG in the years 2012-2018, the Cracow University of Technology developed three industrial engines powered by waste hydrogen from the chemical industry. Over five years, the university conducted operational research on these engines.

Currently, these industrial hydrogen engines are in practical use and intended for cooperation with power generators – as reported on gazetakrakowska.pl.

The Mechanical Engineering Department of the Krakow university also maintains close collaboration with Toyota. In Berlin, scientists from this department participated in road (in 2018) and operational (in 2022) research on the Toyota Mirai, equipped with hydrogen-powered fuel cells.

Development work on the hydrogen injection system for piston internal combustion engines, conducted by the Department of Automotive Vehicles at the Cracow University of Technology, aims to create a new solution that improves energy efficiency and reduces emissions from these engines.

In traditional internal combustion engines, fueled by gasoline or diesel, the fuel-air mixture is prepared in the combustion chamber. In hydrogen-powered engines, this mixture is prepared in a separate tank and then delivered to the cylinder using an injector. This solution allows for more precise hydrogen dosing, which can translate into improved engine efficiency and reduced emissions of harmful substances.

The research on the hydrogen injection system for piston internal combustion engines is part of the project “Adaptation of a Modern Compression Ignition Engine for Hydrogen Fuel“. The project is carried out in collaboration with the company Horus-Energia. Scientists adapted a 5-cylinder industrial engine from Scania to run on hydrogen.

Link to Prof. Marek Brzeżański’s lecture (with english subs): https://polskiprzemysl.com.pl/przemysl-energetyczny/silnik-wodorowy/