AVL’s automotive division, AVL RACETECH, unveiled an innovative hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine prototype in 2022. This 2-liter turbocharged engine runs on hydrogen and, in addition, incorporates advanced water injection technology. This pushes the limits of performance to new heights. The launch of this water combustion engine marked the first time AVL RACETECH has designed and built a racing engine completely in-house.
A game changer in hydrogen engine performance
The hydrogen internal combustion engine that AVL RACETECH launched three years ago was designed to outperform other hydrogen engines. These were typically running on a lean mixture, which resulted in lower performance. Unlike traditional hydrogen engines, this engine achieves an impressive 150 kW per liter of mixture. This level of performance puts the 2-liter turbocharged hydrogen engine on par with today’s high-performance racing engines.
To achieve this power, AVL RACETECH has incorporated water injection technology into the hydrogen engine. This system injects water into the intake air, thereby increasing pressure and cooling the combustion chamber. This design is based on AVL’s experience in system behavior, for which it used advanced 3D flow simulation models. In doing so, it sought to ensure efficient air flow and avoid mechanical stresses. The result is a state-of-the-art, high-performance propellant that meets stringent motorsports safety standards.
Paul Kapus, project manager and head of spark ignition engine development and vehicle prototyping, spoke highly of this propellant. “Achieving competition-level performance values with a hydrogen internal combustion engine is an incredibly complex technical challenge, but our prototype shows that it is possible,” he said.
In this regard, he pointed out that the basic technology of a gasoline engine and a hydrogen combustion engine is very similar. The only thing different in this case is the fuel cell technology. Therefore, the concept of this engine is also very well suited to the economical approach of customer racing, as the adaptations are very simple.”
Revolutionary specifications
Using this innovative technology, the team developed a prototype two-liter hydrogen combustion engine specifically designed to deliver 500 Nm of torque between 3,000 and 4,000 rpm. To do this, it used stoichiometric combustion. How does it work? The water vapor helps increase the engine’s boost pressure while cooling the combustion chamber. It also reduces the likelihood of pre-ignition, a fairly common problem that can cause serious damage if left unchecked.
This prototype also avoids typical lean combustion by maintaining an air/fuel ratio of 1. Together with a wastegate turbocharger that effectively meets the air demands of the propellant, this configuration ensures optimum combustion efficiency, further improving engine performance and reliability.
Hydrogen engines: the future of the automotive industry
Although the water-powered engine is a 2022 project, it is almost certain that the adaptation of hydrogen internal combustion engines will be the future of the automotive industry. They offer a cleaner alternative to traditional diesel and gasoline vehicles. In addition, they produce zero emissions, which significantly reduces carbon footprint and air pollution. You can read all these features in the official presentation of this engine that AVL has published on its website.
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