Thermal efficiency analysis in a hydrogen premixed combustion engine

Abstract Hydrogen has higher flame velocity and shorter quenching distance than hydrocarbon fuels, and is supposed to have special characteristics in the combustion process of internal combustion engines. In this research, contributors to thermal efficiency in a hydrogen premixed spark ignition engine were analyzed and compared with methane combustion. Results showed hydrogen combustion had higher cooling loss to combustion chamber wall, and thermal efficiency of hydrogen combustion was mainly dominated by both cooling loss to combustion chamber wall and degree of constant volume combustion.