Technical Paper
A Two-Charge Engine Concept: Hydrogen Enrichment*
1974-02-01
741169
The first engine dynamometer test results are presented for a modified fuel system based on hydrogen enrichment for a V-8 I.C. engine. The engine burns mixtures of gasoline and hydrogen under ultralean conditions to yield extreme low NOx emissions with increased engine efficiency. The hydrogen is produced in a compact onboard generator from gasoline and air. The hydrogen-rich product gas is cooled and mixed with the normal combustion air in a modified carburetor. The engine then operates in the conventional manner on atomized gasoline with spark ignition, but with hydrogen-enriched air and with a high spark advance of 40-50° BTDC. The engine thus receives two charges of fuel: a charge of gaseous fuel from the hydrogen generator, and the normal gasoline charge. The results on hydrogen enrichment are compared with the 1973 V-8 baseline stock engine with emission controls, and the same engine without controls and operated at a maximum efficiency under lean conditions.