Studies in Systems of Hydrogen Admixtures for Converted Diesel Engines

The research was carried out to solve the problem of converting automotive diesel engines to alternative fuels with hydrogen admixtures. Methanol is considered as an alternative fuel which is a cheaper alternative to commercial petroleum diesel fuel. The chemical essence of improving the calorific value of alternative methanol fuel was investigated. Calculations showed the energy effect of burning an alternative mixture with hydrogen additives exceeds the effect of burning the same amount of methanol fuel. The combustion energy and engine power increase is achieved due to the efficient use of the engine exhaust gases heat and chemical conversion of methanol. An experimental installation was created to study the work of a converted diesel engine on hydrogen mixtures, and thermochemical regeneration processes. Experimental studies of the energy and environmental parameters of a serial diesel engine converted to work on an alternative fuel with hydrogen admixtures were conducted. Experimental studies have shown converting diesel engines to work on alternative fuels with hydrogen admixtures is structurally possible and technically advantageous whereas emissions of toxic components decrease and engine power increases. Conversion of diesel engines to alternative fuels with hydrogen admixtures is very profitable since the price of methanol is on average 30–35% of the cost of petroleum fuel.