Challenges of Hydrogen-Fueled Internal Combustion Engines: Production, Storage, and Application

Hydrogen can play a relevant role in decarbonizing the transport sector, as it can serve as a carbon-free fuel to power internal combustion engines. Hydrogen internal combustion engines are a competitive alternative, especially for medium-duty and heavy-duty engine applications, for which full electric solutions are challenging regarding energy consumption and storage. Hydrogen fuel can be applied to both internal combustion engines and fuel cells. Because of their mature and long-established technology, internal combustion engines are expected to be a competitive alternative to fuel cells in the short-medium period. However, to make the usage of hydrogen powertrain technology feasible, it should be produced in a clean and cost-effective way. Hydrogen production pathways, properties, and storage solutions are analyzed together with carbon capture technologies and electrolysis solutions. Details are provided in terms of state-of-the-art technologies and perspectives for future improvement. The final part of the chapter is devoted to the application of H2 in ICEs, which likely would allow to meet future regulations of zero CO2 emission at the tailpipe. The use of exhaust gas recirculation, together with lean mixture combustion strategies, can effectively increase engine efficiency and limit NOx emissions. The most effective engine control parameters are listed, providing preliminary outcomes of their impact and optimization to make hydrogen-fueled engines reliable and effective propulsion systems.