Hydrogen Generation based on Chemical Reaction and its Application

Abstract

In recent years, the effects of global warming due to CO₂ emissions have become serious. Since internal combustion engines (ICEs) where gasoline or diesel are used as fuel release huge amount of CO₂, attentions have been paid to the new decarbonization countermeasures of Ices. Among them, H₂ is regarded as a kind of eco-friendly fuel not only for fuel cell but also for Ices. So far, we have modified a gasoline electric power generator for using H₂ as fuel by amounting a surge tank with a special intaking flow system. Though many useful results have been obtained, problems such as H₂ supply method for on-site operation or backfire phenomenon at high load still remain. Therefore, in current paper, in order to deal with the above-mentioned problems. Firstly, H₂ generation method based on chemical reaction for onsite operation is suggested and verified. Secondly, a new intake flow system for stable operation was designed and manufactured based on simulation and engine performance test was experimentally investigated. Finally, engine operation test using H₂ generated by chemical reaction on-site was conducted. As a result, the maximum H₂ generation was 29.3 L/min, and the error from the theoretical value was 2.4 %. In engine performance test for new Intaking flow system, the maxi mum output was 900 W, and the thermal efficiency was 19.0%. In engine operation testing generated H₂ on-site, the engine speed decreased by up to 900 rpm compared to compressed H₂.