Towards a more powerful hydrogen engine

Abstract

This research examines the operational efficiency of a single-cylinder hydrogen engine through simulations conducted in OpenModelica. The research focuses on analyzing the combustion characteristics, heat release, temperature, and pressure at varying engine speeds of 1700, 2000, and 2500 rpm. The combustion process is modeled Applying the Wiebe function to represent the proportion of fuel mass that is burned, while the heat released by combustion is calculated using a formula incorporating the fuel mass, lower heating value, and combustion efficiency. The study presents detailed simulations of in-cylinder temperature, heat release rate, and pressure profiles, and examines how these parameters vary with engine speed. Results reveal that peak temperatures and heat release rates increase with engine speed, indicating more intensive combustion at higher speeds. The pressure curves and power output also show significant changes with speed, with higher engine speeds leading to increased power output and improved engine efficiency. This study provides insights into the hydrogen engine's behavior under different operating conditions, highlighting the impact of engine speed on performance metrics.