Influence of Crank Angle Offset on the Mechanical Performance of Different Hydrogen-Fueled Opposed-Piston Engine Architectures

Abstract

Decarbonization of the automotive sector is essential to achieve global climate goals, as passenger cars contribute a substantial share of CO2 emissions. This research project focuses on the preliminary design of an innovative 2-stroke hydrogen-fueled opposed-piston engine, offering a promising solution for reducing emissions from passenger cars. Hydrogen enables clean combustion due to its carbon-free nature and allows the possibility of nearly-zero NOx emissions when burned in an ultra-lean mixture. Although the ultra-lean mixture inevitably leads to a significant drop in performance, the opposed-piston engine architecture offers a potential solution for maintaining power output and overall dimensions comparable to traditional internal combustion engines. The study addressed the global balancing of the engine. Unlike conventional engines, the opposed-piston engine presents non-trivial challenges, such as the interaction between the two crankshafts. Two engine architectures are addressed: 3-cylinder and 4-cylinder.

Keywords

• opposed-piston engine
• two-stroke engine
• engine balancing
• hydrogen
• CO₂ reduction