Mitsubishi buoyed by hydrogen tests on cogeneration gas engine

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has achieved stable combustion of hydrogen admixture through testing a single cylinder engine.

According to the industrial technology specialists, the test achieved stable combustion with up to 50 vol% hydrogen admixture without losing the rated output.

The test was performed to alter the KU series gas engine cogeneration system into a system of less emissions but with the same output.

In this testing phase, the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) team addressed issues such as engine knocking caused by hydrogen's faster flame propagation speed and preignition combustion caused by the lower minimum ignition energy of hydrogen. The team succeeded in maintaining stable combustion by adjusting the excess air ratio and other parameters.

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Consequently, the team was able to verify stable combustion of hydrogen admixture of a maximum of 50 vol% while keeping the rated output. It suggests the cogeneration system with the original 5.75MW engine would generate the same result.

Furthermore, the testing revealed that the cogeneration system that generates power and steam is likely to satisfy a CO2 emission coefficient of 0.27kg- CO2/kWh without recovering energy for hot water.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engine & Turbocharger (MHIET) is currently finalising specifications of auxiliary equipment to be installed together with the engine and control systems of all related equipment with the aim to commercialise in 2025.

This project is aligned with MHI's goal to achieve net zero CO2 emissions from the entire group by 2040. To this end, MHIET has been focused on the development and commercialisation of hydrogen engines, which is listed as a key strategy in its roadmap to carbon neutrality.

To learn more about MHI's hydrogen strategy, listen to this episode of Enlit's Energy Transitions Podcast.