Refining Combustion Dynamics: Dissolved Hydrogen in Diesel Fuel within Turbulent-Flow Environments

Abstract

This article presents the possibility of improving combustion using the effect of releasing hydrogen from a solution with nucleation of gas bubbles. This concept consists in dissolving hydrogen in diesel fuel until the equilibrium state of the solution is reached. At a later stage, the phenomenon is reversed, and this gas is released from the solution during its injection into the combustion chamber with a strong swirl. A characteristic feature of the solution is that when lowering the pressure (opening the atomizers), there is a decrease in the equilibrium thermodynamic potential, which results in the excess, dissolved hydrogen being released spontaneously, and this process is of a volumetric nature. This article is a continuation of the work carried out at Poznan University of Technology on the development of this concept. This article presents the results of tests for the impact of hydrogen dissolved in diesel fuel on the combustion process within a turbulent-flow environment. The tests were conducted in the combustion chamber of an engine equipped with a toroidal combustion chamber and direct injection. During the tests, the following factors were measured: the main indicators of motor operation, emission of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matters.