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Hydrogen produced from regenerative sources has the potential to be a sustainable substitute for fossil fuels. A hydrogen internal combustion engine has good combustion characteristics, such as higher flame propagation velocity, shorter quenching distance, and higher thermal conductivity compared with hydrocarbon fuel. However, storing hydrogen is problematic since the energy density is low. Hydrogen can be chemically stored as a hydrocarbon fuel. In particular, an organic hydride can easily generate hydrogen through use of a catalyst. Additionally, it has an advantage in hydrogen transportation due to its liquid form at room temperature and pressure. We examined the application of an organic hydride in a spark ignition (SI) engine. We used methylcyclohexane (MCH) as an organic hydride from which hydrogen and toluene (TOL) can be reformed. First, the theoretical thermal efficiency was examined when hydrogen and TOL were supplied to an SI engine.

A direct fuel-injection two-stroke cycle engine operated with neat methanol was investigated. The engine performance, combustion and exhaust-gas characteristics were analyzed experimentally and compared for operation with a carburetor, EFI injection at the intake manifold, and EFI injection at the scavenging port. The power and the brake thermal efficiency of the direct fuel-injection engine were higher than those of engines operated with a carburetor and either of the two EFI methods. The exhausted unburnt fuel of the direct fuel-injection engine was lower than that for operation with a carburetor, and formaldehyde and the CO concentration were of the same level as for operation with the carburetor and EFI methods. The NOx concentration of the direct fuel-injection was half the level of the result of carburetor operation.

Reduction of soot and NOx emissions from a prechamber-type diesel engine is studied by employing both chemical and physical aspects of the fuel and induction method. Fuel modification was performed to produce several forms of composite fuel: solution of alcohol and gas oil (JIS No. 1); emulsification and mixture of methyl alcohol-gas oil prepared by off- and in-line fuel systems; and separate injection of fuels into the pre- and main-chamber.