It is well known that adding hydrogen to natural gas extends the lean limit of combustion and that in this way extremely low emission levels can be obtained: even the equivalent zero emission vehicle (EZEV) requirements can be reached. The emissions reduction is especially important at light engine loads. In this paper results are presented for a GM V8 engine. Natural gas, pure hydrogen and different blends of these two fuels have been tested. The fuel supply system used provides natural gas/hydrogen mixtures in variable proportion, regulated independently of the engine operating condition. The influence of the fuel composition on the engine operating characteristics and exhaust emissions has been examined, mainly but not exclusively for 10 and 20 percent hydrogen addition. At least 10 percent hydrogen addition is necessary for a significant improvement in efficiency. Due to the conflicting requirements for low hydrocarbons and low determining the optimum hythane composition is not straight-forward. For hythane mixtures with a high hydrogen fraction, it is found that a hydrogen content of 80 percent or less guarantees safe engine operation (no backfire nor knock), whatever the air excess factor. It is shown that to obtain maximum engine efficiency for the whole load range while taking low exhaust emissions into account, the mixture composition should be varied with respect to engine load. [S0742-4795(00)02001-9]
Skip Nav Destination
e-mail: roger.sierens@rug.ac.be
Article navigation
January 2000
Technical Papers
Variable Composition Hydrogen/Natural Gas Mixtures for Increased Engine Efficiency and Decreased Emissions
R. Sierens,
e-mail: roger.sierens@rug.ac.be
R. Sierens
University of Gent, Laboratory for Transporttechnology, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat B-9000 Gent, Belgium
Search for other works by this author on:
E. Rosseel
E. Rosseel
University of Gent, Laboratory for Transporttechnology, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat B-9000 Gent, Belgium
Search for other works by this author on:
R. Sierens
University of Gent, Laboratory for Transporttechnology, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat B-9000 Gent, Belgium
e-mail: roger.sierens@rug.ac.be
E. Rosseel
University of Gent, Laboratory for Transporttechnology, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat B-9000 Gent, Belgium
Contributed by the International Combustion Engine Division (ICE) of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers for publication in the ASME JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING FOR GAS TURBINES AND POWER. Manuscript received by the ICE June 25, 1992; final revision received by the ASME Headquarters July 5, 1999. Associate Technical Editor: D. Assanis.
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. Jan 2000, 122(1): 135-140 (6 pages)
Published Online: July 5, 1999
Article history
Received:
June 25, 1992
Revised:
July 5, 1999
Citation
Sierens, R., and Rosseel, E. (July 5, 1999). "Variable Composition Hydrogen/Natural Gas Mixtures for Increased Engine Efficiency and Decreased Emissions ." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. January 2000; 122(1): 135–140. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.483191
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Operation of a Compression Ignition Engine at Idling Load Under Simulated Cold Weather Conditions
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (August 2025)
In-Cylinder Imaging and Emissions Measurements of Cold-Start Split Injection Strategies
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (August 2025)
Effects of Lattice Orientation Angle on TPMS-Based Transpiration Cooling
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (September 2025)
Compressor Development for CO2-Based Pumped Thermal Energy Storage Systems
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (September 2025)
Related Articles
Toward Low Nox Emissions Performance of a 65-kW Recuperated Gas Turbine Operated on 100% Hydrogen
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (December,2024)
Development of a Hydrogen Micro Gas Turbine Combustor: Atmospheric Pressure Testing
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (April,2024)
Emissions and Flame Stability Assessment of Hydrogen Addition and Air Dilution in a Microgas Turbine Combustor Using Zero-Dimensional/One-Dimensional Modeling by Chemical Reactor Network
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (July,2025)
Stoichiometric Operation of a Gas Engine Utilizing Synthesis Gas and EGR for NO x Control
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (October,2000)
Related Chapters
Hydrogen Enhanced Dislocation Emission at a Crack Tip
International Hydrogen Conference (IHC 2012): Hydrogen-Materials Interactions
Evaluation of the Hydride Reorientation Behavior for Zircaloy-2 Liner Cladding with High Hydrogen Content during Interim Dry Storage Conditions
Zirconium in the Nuclear Industry: 20th International Symposium
Physiology of Human Power Generation
Design of Human Powered Vehicles