Imagine driving a car that not only offers exceptional performance but also contributes to a sustainable future. A team of specialists from BMW, HOERBIGER, the Graz University of Technology, and HyCentA has developed a groundbreaking hydrogen combustion process that achieves remarkable efficiency for internal combustion engines. This innovative technology is set to revolutionize the automotive industry.
The Future of Alternative Drive Concepts
With the limited availability of fossil fuels and the rising concern over harmful emissions, the development of the hydrogen combustion engine aligns perfectly with the objective of securing individual mobility without compromising the environment. Professor Dr. Raymond Freymann, Managing Director of BMW Forschung und Technik GmbH, confidently states, “In light of the limited availability of fossil fuels and the rising environmental impact from harmful emissions, we are convinced that the H2 combustion engine will assume an important position in the product portfolio of future alternative drive concepts.”
Uniting the Best of Both Worlds
The newly developed combustion system combines the strengths of spark-ignition and diesel concepts. By harnessing the favorable combustion properties of hydrogen, this revolutionary engine achieves efficiency levels comparable to state-of-the-art turbodiesel engines. This breakthrough in technology is a result of the joint EU “HylCE” project, which demonstrated maximum specific powers of up to 100 kilowatts per liter of displacement for a spark-ignition hydrogen combustion process.
Engineering Excellence
Engineers from the BMW Group Forschung und Technik, in collaboration with the Graz University of Technology, developed a new cylinder head specifically designed for hydrogen operation. By utilizing advanced numerical flow simulation, they optimized the combustion chamber, ensuring optimal efficiency. HOERBIGER ValveTec GmbH contributed to the project by designing high-pressure injectors capable of direct injection of hydrogen into the combustion chamber at pressures of up to 300 bar (approximately 4500 psi). The Hydrogen Center Austria provided the necessary infrastructure for testing and calibrating these injectors.
Unparalleled Efficiency
Extensive test runs at the Institute for Internal Combustion Engines and Thermodynamics of the Graz University of Technology have demonstrated that this innovative hydrogen combustion system achieves efficiency levels of up to an astounding 42 percent. This outstanding performance matches the efficiency values of the currently best turbodiesel engines.
Conclusion
The development of the BMW hydrogen engine marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of sustainable and high-performance alternative drive concepts. With its remarkable efficiency and utilization of hydrogen, this engine showcases BMW’s commitment to shaping the future of mobility.
FAQs
Q: How does the efficiency of the BMW hydrogen engine compare to traditional engines?
A: The BMW hydrogen engine achieves efficiency levels of up to 42 percent, on par with the most efficient turbodiesel engines available today.
Q: What are the benefits of utilizing hydrogen as a fuel source?
A: Hydrogen is a clean fuel that produces zero harmful emissions when combusted. Additionally, it offers excellent combustion properties, resulting in high efficiency and power output.
Q: Does the development of the BMW hydrogen engine contribute to a sustainable future?
A: Absolutely. By providing an alternative to fossil fuels and reducing harmful emissions, the BMW hydrogen engine paves the way for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.
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